Nancy Writebol, the second American medical missionary stricken with Ebola virus in Liberia, arrived at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta Tuesday after a trans-Atlantic flight in a small jet outfitted with an isolation pod.
Writebol, 59, arrived at Dobbins Air Reserve Base aboard the same jet that brought the first American patient, 33-year-old physician Kent Brantly, to the medical center from Liberia on Saturday, WXIA-TV reports. The plane made a brief refueling stop in Bangor, Maine.
The patient was then transported to the hospital by ambulance in a small caravan that included the FBI, DeKalb County police and Emory University police, said DeKalb public safety director Cedric Alexander.
He said his department was on heightened alert for the escort because there had been "unsubstantiated threats" against the aid worker. However, the trip from the airport to Emory was uneventful, he said. "Nothing occurred," he said. "This was a smooth operation."
The patient was then transported to the hospital by ambulance in a small caravan that included the FBI, DeKalb County police and Emory University police, said DeKalb public safety director Cedric Alexander.
He said his department was on heightened alert for the escort because there had been "unsubstantiated threats" against the aid worker. However, the trip from the airport to Emory was uneventful, he said. "Nothing occurred," he said. "This was a smooth operation."
Brantly, a doctor with Samaritan's Purse, and Writebol, a hygienist with Service in Mission, were infected while working with Ebola patients at a clinic operated by the American faith-based organizations in Liberia.
Both have already received an experimental "cocktail" of antibodies that has been used successfully on monkeys infected with the Ebola virus.
SIM USA said on Monday that Writebol remains in serious condition.
"Her husband told me Sunday her appetite has improved, and she requested one of her favorite dishes — Liberian potato soup — and coffee," Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, said in a statement. Writebol's son, Jeremy, said his mother "is still struggling" but that "there seems to be improvement."
Brantly's wife said in a statement that she had seen her husband and that he was in good spirits.
"He thanked everyone for their prayers and asked for continued prayer for Nancy Writebol's safe return and full recovery," Amber Brantly said.
The World Health Organization said in its most recent update on the disease that the number of reported cases from the latest outbreak has risen to 1,603, with 887 deaths. The week ending Aug. 1 saw 163 new cases and 61 deaths, the health agency said.
As concern mounts over the spread of the virus in West Africa, the World Bank has pledged as much as $200 million in emergency funding to help Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
"The international community needs to act fast to contain and stop this Ebola outbreak," said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, who is a medical doctor with experience of treating infectious diseases.
"I believe this new World Bank emergency funding will provide critically needed support for the response to stop the further transmission."
Late Monday, officials at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York admitted a man who had recently been to West Africa and was showing symptoms — high fever and gastrointestinal problems — consistent with Ebola.
However, the New York City Health Department later said "the patient is unlikely to have Ebola. Specimens are being tested for common causes of illness and to definitively exclude Ebola."
In Washington, a summit hosted by the White House with African leaders has been overshadowed by the growing health crisis posed by the Ebola virus.
source: usatoday.com by Larry Copeland and Doug Stanglin
Both have already received an experimental "cocktail" of antibodies that has been used successfully on monkeys infected with the Ebola virus.
SIM USA said on Monday that Writebol remains in serious condition.
"Her husband told me Sunday her appetite has improved, and she requested one of her favorite dishes — Liberian potato soup — and coffee," Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, said in a statement. Writebol's son, Jeremy, said his mother "is still struggling" but that "there seems to be improvement."
Brantly's wife said in a statement that she had seen her husband and that he was in good spirits.
"He thanked everyone for their prayers and asked for continued prayer for Nancy Writebol's safe return and full recovery," Amber Brantly said.
The World Health Organization said in its most recent update on the disease that the number of reported cases from the latest outbreak has risen to 1,603, with 887 deaths. The week ending Aug. 1 saw 163 new cases and 61 deaths, the health agency said.
As concern mounts over the spread of the virus in West Africa, the World Bank has pledged as much as $200 million in emergency funding to help Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
"The international community needs to act fast to contain and stop this Ebola outbreak," said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, who is a medical doctor with experience of treating infectious diseases.
"I believe this new World Bank emergency funding will provide critically needed support for the response to stop the further transmission."
Late Monday, officials at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York admitted a man who had recently been to West Africa and was showing symptoms — high fever and gastrointestinal problems — consistent with Ebola.
However, the New York City Health Department later said "the patient is unlikely to have Ebola. Specimens are being tested for common causes of illness and to definitively exclude Ebola."
In Washington, a summit hosted by the White House with African leaders has been overshadowed by the growing health crisis posed by the Ebola virus.
source: usatoday.com by Larry Copeland and Doug Stanglin
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