A 30-year-old Canadian pilot originally from Kamloops, British Columbia, successfully carried out a medical evacuation mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after an American doctor tested positive for the Ebola virus.

The pilot, Dominic Villeneuve, works with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), an organisation that provides aviation support to remote and underserved regions.The evacuation took place on May 20 and lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes.Villeneuve transported the doctor’s wife, who is also a physician, their children, and another doctor who had direct exposure to the virus.The infected physician was evacuated separately to Germany for specialised medical treatment.The flight’s destination was Uganda, where the family was transported safely while remaining asymptomatic throughout the journey.

Villeneuve reported that he was not personally concerned for his safety, citing strict safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the flight.He emphasised that asymptomatic individuals are not contagious, and the passengers showed no symptoms during transport.The mission occurred amid a growing Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

The World Health Organization declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 16, reporting over 125 confirmed cases and hundreds of suspected cases, along with significant fatalities.This marks the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in the country since 1976.MAF has played a recurring logistical role in previous outbreaks, supporting humanitarian and medical operations in remote regions.Canadian pilots like Villeneuve are part of these coordinated efforts, assisting NGOs and local health systems.The organisation also highlighted its ongoing commitment to providing safe transport for frontline workers.In response to the outbreak, the Canadian government announced $8 million in international assistance funding to support Ebola response efforts.Villeneuve described the mission as part of a broader call for global solidarity in containing the virus and supporting affected communities.