(CNN) — The body of an “apparent stowaway” was found Sunday night in the wheel well of a U.S. Air Force C-130 that landed at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby said Tuesday.
The body of a male was discovered during a post-flight inspection of the plane. The cause of death remains under investigation. The aircraft stopped in numerous places in Africa during its mission, Kirby said.
Kirby said the body was tested and there was no indication of communicable disease. German authorities and U.S. military are investigating the circumstances, including the apparent security breach.
West Africa is in the middle of an Ebola outbreak. As of July 23, the World Health Organization had confirmed more than 800 Ebola cases in the region, but suspects there have been many unreported infections and there may be more like 1,200 cases. Sierra Leone has been hardest hit with approximately 525 cases.
The organization says there have been 456 confirmed Ebola deaths as of July 23, and another 216 suspected deaths, bringing the number possibly to more than 670.
Guinea has the most suspected deaths. The epidemic has been in that country longer. It is believed the epidemic began in the nation’s capital of Conakry.
