An American doctor infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone last month has gone quietly home after spending six weeks at Emory University’s special biocontainment unit, the hospital said Monday. The doctor, who has asked not to be named for now, was working for the World Health Organization when he was infected.
His treatment and recovery hasn’t been covered wall to wall like the other Ebola patients, who include medical missionaries Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, both treated at Emory, and Dr. Rick Sacra and NBC cameraman Ashoka Mukpo, both treated at Nebraska Medical Center. Emory’s also treating Dallas nurse Amber Vinson, infected while treating the only U.S. Ebola patient to have died, Thomas Eric Duncan. A second nurse infected while treating Duncan, Nina Pham, is in a special unit at the National Institutes of Health outside Washington, D.C.
“In coordination with the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health, the patient was determined to be free of virus and to pose no public health threat. The patient has asked to remain anonymous and left the hospital for an undisclosed location. He will make a statement at a later date,” Emory said in a statement.
"As a result of the virus, my condition worsened and I became critically ill soon after I arrived at Emory. Through rigorous medical treatment, skillful nursing, and the full support of a health-care team, I am well on the way to a full recovery,” the patient said in a statement issued last week.
"I want the public to know that although Ebola is a serious, complex disease, it is possible to recover and return to a healthy life. I wish to retain my anonymity for now, but I anticipate sharing more information in future weeks as I complete my recovery.”
IN-DEPTH
— Maggie Fox
