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American Doctor Diagnosed with Ebola Amid DRC Outbreak Raises Concerns

KVIA•Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 12:51 AM•ABC News

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Dr. Peter Stafford, a medical missionary from the organization Serge, has tested positive for Ebola while treating patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This outbreak has led to 10 confirmed cases and 336 suspected cases, with 88 suspected deaths reported. The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is coordinating efforts to repatriate affected Americans, while also implementing travel restrictions for non-U.S. passport holders coming from central Africa. The situation is being monitored closely, with an initial $13 million in aid mobilized for immediate response efforts. The risk to the general public in the U.S. remains low, according to health officials.

Key Details: • Dr. Stafford tested positive after showing symptoms and is being moved to Germany for care. • Travel restrictions for non-U.S. passport holders from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan will be in effect for 30 days. • The CDC is enhancing measures like contact tracing and laboratory testing nationwide. • The DRC's current Ebola outbreak is its 17th since the disease was identified in the 1970s.

health cdc travel-restrictions ebola democratic-republic-of-congo

People & Organizations

CDCU.S. State DepartmentRobert F. Kennedy Jr.GermanyWorld Health OrganizationDemocratic Republic of the CongoDr. Peter StaffordJoel HyltonDr. Satish K. PillaiSerge

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