American doctor who recovered from Ebola back in U.S., says he's "feeling well"

Dr. Peter Stafford, an American doctor who contracted Ebola during a humanitarian mission in Congo, has returned to the United States and reported feeling well after his recovery. Stafford, his wife Rebekah, also a doctor, and their four children arrived safely in the U.S. on Monday, according to the Christian missions organization Serge.

Stafford has been Ebola-free since May 30. He expressed gratitude for his life, the prayers of supporters, and the medical providers who cared for him. "I am feeling well and thankful to be reunited with Rebekah and the kids," Stafford stated. "Our prayers continue for those in Congo who are facing this devastating epidemic and for the ongoing efforts to control the disease."

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I am filled with gratitude to God for preserving my life, to all those who prayed on my behalf, and to the many medical providers who cared for me.

Other missionaries and their families who served alongside Stafford in Congo have also completed their care and monitoring and returned to the U.S. Stafford contracted the virus last month while working with the missionary group. He was evacuated to a hospital in Berlin on May 20 for treatment and was discharged on June 6. His wife and children were also evacuated and quarantined, but neither Rebekah nor the children developed symptoms of Ebola.

The Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in Congo, which has spread to neighboring Uganda, remains a serious concern for health officials. This strain of the virus is less common than the Zaire strain and currently has no available vaccines or treatments. As of Saturday, Congo has reported 782 confirmed cases and 178 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and two deaths as of Sunday.

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I am feeling well and thankful to be reunited with Rebekah and the kids. Our prayers continue for those in Congo who are facing this devastating epidemic and for the ongoing efforts to control the disease.