By Kirsti Knolle
BERLIN, July 13 (Reuters) – A U.S. citizen infected with the Ebola virus in Democratic Republic of Congo was admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital early on Monday, officials said.
The patient arrived at the hospital’s special isolation unit at around 3 a.m. after contracting the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus in Congo, the hospital said.
The U.S. CDC said on Friday that a U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organisation in Congo had tested positive for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus.
“The patient’s condition is currently stable,” said Timo Wolf, head of the special isolation unit.
An official working for Christian aid group Samaritan’s Purse confirmed to Reuters that the patient, in his 60s, was a full-time employee working as a warehouse manager in Congo.
“He received early treatment and I am hopeful he’s going to have a good outcome,” he said, expressing gratitude to the U.S. Department of State for arranging for early treatment and evacuation.
The hospital said there was no risk to the public or other patients, as the individual is being treated in complete isolation in a unit that is separated from the rest of the facility.
The admission comes as the number of confirmed Ebola cases in Congo rose to 1,926, including 702 deaths, with the outbreak spreading to two new provinces, Haut-Uele and Tshopo, the country’s public health institute said on Monday.
In June, a U.S. citizen treated in Berlin after contracting Ebola in Congo was discharged from Charité hospital.
(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Additional reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva; Editing by Matthias Williams amd Alison Williams)
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