A US aid worker who contracted the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been discharged in good health from Frankfurt University Hospital after about two weeks of care. He stabilised in the hospital's specialised isolation ward and recovered with supportive treatment, and is now symptom-free. Health officials say the DRC outbreak remains hard to control because there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.
US Aid Worker Infected With Bundibugyo Ebola Discharged From Frankfurt Hospital
The words "Universitätsklinikum" are displayed on the hospital's main entrance. A US citizen infected with the Ebola virus has been flown to Germany for treatment. (is associated with: «US Ebola patient discharged from Frankfurt hospital») Florian Wiegand/dpa
A US national who contracted the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was discharged in good health from Frankfurt University Hospital on Tuesday, the hospital said.
The patient, a logistics specialist for an aid organisation, was admitted about two weeks earlier after developing symptoms typical of infection with the Bundibugyo virus.
Treatment and Recovery
He was cared for in the hospital's specialised isolation ward for highly pathogenic infectious agents. His condition stabilised and, with supportive treatment, his symptoms improved until he made a full recovery and was declared symptom-free.
Outbreak Context
Frankfurt University Hospital has previously treated patients with haemorrhagic fevers successfully. Ebola is a contagious and potentially fatal disease that spreads through direct physical contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids. Health authorities say the current Bundibugyo outbreak in the DRC is proving difficult to contain because there is no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment approved for this strain.
The hospital highlighted the positive outcome as an example of effective isolation and supportive care, while public-health efforts continue to address the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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