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Some good news coming from the US. Dr. Kent Brantly, who contracted the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa while helping fight its largest outbreak in recorded history, will be released
from Atlanta's Emory University Hospital on Thursday, spokesman Vince Dollard said. His blood tests have come back negative for the virus. The hospital will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. ET, where Brantly will give a statement before leaving the hospital. Emory will also have information on fellow missionary Nancy Writebol. Her husband recently said that she is regaining strength. Both of them were evacuated from Liberia earlier this month in a plane specially equipped with an isolation tent and accompanied by medical staff outfitted in head-to-foot protective clothing.
The plane was able to take only one patient at a time and made two trips to get them both.
The two Americans were taken to an isolation unit at Emory University Hospital, where Writebol was also treated.
Both patients were able to walk when they arrived, stepping out of the ambulance on foot, dressed in biohazard suits.
Joy and relief
Brantly was in Liberia for faith-based charity Samaritan's Purse, and its president, Franklin Graham expressed joy over the doctor's release.
"Today I join all of our Samaritan's Purse team around the world in giving thanks to God as we celebrate Dr. Kent Brantly's recovery from Ebola," he said.
Writebol's husband David, who was with her in Africa, visited her at Emory on Sunday, he said in a statement. She is recovering, he said.
He stood outside the isolation room, as they looked at each other through the glass.
"We both placed our hands on opposite sides of the glass, moved with tears to look at each other again," he said.
Experimental medication
For Brantly to leave isolation, two blood tests done in a two-day period had to come back negative.
The Ebola virus spreads via direct contact with bodily fluids, like blood, sweat and feces. Brantly's will no longer be infectious.
There is a slight possibility that the virus could linger for up to three months in his semen, according to the World Health Organization.
The virus has no known cure, and left untreated, infections can be deadly in up to 90% of cases. Nearly half the patients receiving medical care in the current outbreak in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Guinea are surviving.
Treatment consists of giving fluids, monitoring vital signs and responding to acute medical crises. Symptoms include fever, aches, diarrhea and bleeding.
Brantly and Writebol also received an experimental drug called ZMapp, which was also given to three healthcare workers in Liberia, who appear to be recovering.
SOURCE CNN