Doctor who contracted Ebola lived in Lexington for 5 years, studied at UK

An American doctor who contracted Ebola while serving as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo previously lived in Lexington for five years while completing his residency at the University of Kentucky.

A May 20 news release on Serge, an international Christian missions organization, confirmed “that American medical missionary Dr. Peter Stafford is now receiving Ebola-specific care at Berlin’s Charite University Hospital in Germany. As of today, all Serge workers with potential exposure have been safely evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).”

Ebola is a virus spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An outbreak of the virus has been identified in the Congo, with 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths reported as of May 16.

UK confirmed on Wednesday that Stafford, 39, was a surgical resident at UK from 2013 to 2018, and his wife Rebekah Stafford was an OB/GYN resident from 2013 to 2017, according to university spokesperson Kristi Willett.

Peter Stafford tested positive for Bundibugyo ebolavirus while working with patients in hospitals in Nyankunde in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, where an ebola outbreak has been identified, according to Serge. His wife, children, and another doctor are being quarantined and monitored for symptoms.

The couple met in medical school at Ohio State University and were married in 2013. They lived in Lexington for five years while completing their residencies at UK, and have three children, according to a post about the Staffords on the Serge website.

“We received confirmation that Dr. Peter Stafford safely arrived at Charite University Hospital in Germany, where he will receive the highest level of clinical care and treatment,” Dr. Scott Myhre, Serge Area Director for East and Central Africa, said in the news release.

“The complex, coordinated efforts of many government agencies and international health authorities resulted in Peter Stafford’s safe transport and the protection of those involved in his transfer. Serge leadership extends their deepest gratitude to all involved in Peter’s care and is praying for all involved in the fight to end this ebolavirus outbreak for the good of the people of the DRC,” the post said.

This is a developing story and may be updated.