STORY: A U.S. citizen who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where an outbreak of a rare strain of the virus has killed over 130 people, arrived in Germany for treatment early Wednesday (May 20) morning.

Germany earlier on Tuesday (May 19) said it was preparing to treat the individual, identified by the Serge Christian mission organization as medical missionary Peter Stafford, at a special isolation ward in Charite University Hospital.

The outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus in eastern DRC has killed 131 people and been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization.

According to the German Health Ministry, which confirmed the U.S. citizen's admission, Germany was chosen due to its medical expertise in treating Ebola, experience with medical evacuations under strict safety conditions, and shorter flight time compared with the United States.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

US missionary who contracted Ebola arrives in Germany for treatment

VIDEO SHOWS: EXTERIORS OF CHARITE VIRCHOW CLINIC IN BERLIN WHERE US MISSIONARY WHO CONTRACTED EBOLA IN DRC IS DUE TO BE TREATED / AMBULANCE CARRYING US MISSIONARY DRIVING PAST

SHOWS: BERLIN, GERMANY (MAY 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. TRAFFIC POLICE STANDING BY

2. CONVOY OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES, INCLUDING AMBULANCE CARRYING US MISSIONARY WHO CONTRACTED EBOLA IN DRC, DRIVING PAST

3. TRAFFIC POLICE DRIVING

4. EMERGENCY VEHICLES PARKED AT SIDE OF ROAD

5. MEDIA FILMING

6. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF THE CHARITE'S VIRCHOW CLINIC