The Royal Free Hospital released an update on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patient, Pauline Cafferkey today, and the news is promising.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

According to a statement health officials say, “Pauline Cafferkey is showing signs of improvement and is no longer critically ill. She remains in isolation as she receives specialist care for the Ebola virus.”

In the United States, Ebola survivor and SIM Missionary Dr. Rick Sacra, who contracted Ebola while serving in Liberia, will be heading back to West Africa this week.

Sacra, 52, a family physician from Holden, Mass., will treat general patients at ELWA Hospital. He will not be working at the Ebola treatment units on the ELWA campus, but will treat patients with malaria and chronic health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as  provide maternity and pediatrics care – much-needed services with so few hospitals available.  He is expected to remain in Liberia for about a month.

According to the latest Ebola data published by the World Health Organization on Jan. 9, there are 21,086 suspected and confirmed cases in the three intense transmission countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (in fact Sierra Leone has topped the 10,000 case mark).

In addition, 8,289 Ebola-related fatalities have been reported.

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