US Ebola patients were cured

Ebola patient Brantly is released from specialist hospital

08/22/2014

Dr. Kent Brantly has apparently survived the Ebola infection and is leaving the Emory Specialist Clinic where he has been treated for several weeks. The American doctor had been infected with virus in Liberia while working for the non-governmental organization „Samaritan's Purse“ was there. Also, also suffering from Ebola missionary Nancy Writebol is reportedly better.

All Brantly blood tests on Ebola are negative
After Brantly's condition was in some cases very critical in recent weeks, a spokesman for the clinic, Vince Dollard, could give the all-clear today „CNN“ reported. At a press conference, the dismissal of the doctor was announced. All blood tests on Ebola had been negative, so that the 33-year-old also no longer considered contagious. Even Writebol was released on Tuesday as cured, but initially did not want to face the public. Both had received an experimental drug for the infection.

Franklin Graham, the president of the non-governmental organization „Samaritan's Purse“, for whom Brantly worked in Liberia, praising the courage and bravery of the medical profession. „Today, on behalf of all Samaritan's Purse units around the world, I want to thank God that Kent Brantly survived Ebola and was released from hospital“, Graham. „I know, Dr. Brantly and his wonderful family today would ask you to think of those who are still fighting Ebola in Africa - whether they have the virus or are treating it. "The organization is becoming more of a helper to send 350 employees to Liberia.

„Nancy is now a small but growing group of people who have survived Ebola, "quotes the Oline issue of „The world“ Writebol's husband. „But because she's sick and very weak, we decided to leave alone. "

Effectiveness of experimental drugs against Ebola unclear
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has now cost more than 1,300 lives. An end to the epidemic is not in sight, because drugs to treat the virus are rare. The World Health Organization (WHO) had therefore also campaigned for the use of previously barely tested active ingredients. At present, however, only ten to twelve doses of the US test serum ZMapp are available, according to the WHO. An approved remedy does not exist so far. Ebola's mortality rate is between 50 and 90 percent.

In ZMapp high hopes are set, although its effectiveness is not clearly proven. So it is unclear whether Brantly was actually cured by the drug from Ebola. In addition to the remedy, the diseased physician received a blood transfusion of a 14-year-old, who was also cured of the infection prior to his departure to the United States. In addition, Brantly's immune system could have been strengthened by the treatment in the special clinic, so that the Ebola virus could be better controlled. (Ag)