8/3/14 1830 ET UPDATE: Samaritan’s Purse released the following statement in the past hour on Facebook:
We praise God for the news that Kent’s condition is improving. We can confirm that Kent was able to receive a dose of the experimental serum prior to leaving Liberia. Please continue to pray for Kent, the people of Liberia, and all those who are serving there in Jesus’ Name.
STATEMENT FROM AMBER BRANTLY, WIFE OF DR. KENT BRANTLY:
“Our family is rejoicing over Kent’s safe arrival, and we are confident that he is receiving the very best care. We are very grateful to the staff at Emory University Hospital, who have been so nice and welcoming to us. I was able to see Kent today. He is in good spirits. He thanked everyone for their prayers and asked for continued prayer for Nancy Writebol’s safe return and full recovery.”
An American physician treating Ebola patients in Liberia, who subsequently contracted the dangerous viral disease, is reportedly improving while being treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
“It’s encouraging that he seems to be improving – that’s really important – and we’re hoping he’ll continue to improve,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
A second Ebola patient, American Nancy Writebol, a missionary with SIM who also contracted Ebola in Liberia, is expected to arrive in Atlanta within the next few days.
“We thank God that they are alive and now have access to the best care in the world,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “We are extremely thankful for the help we have received from the State Department, the CDC, the National Institute of Health, WHO and, of course, Emory Hospital.”
Emory University Hospital says, concerning bringing the Ebola patients back to the US, their physicians, nurses and staff can treat them safely and effectively, and we are honored to have the privilege of caring for these patients who contracted Ebola while serving on a humanitarian mission. These two Americans want to come back home and be treated here, and we are committed to helping them. It is our moral obligation to always use our expertise, training, knowledge and gifts to provide such extraordinary care for others.
Because there are so many questions and concerns about this issue, Emory prepared the following FAQs to provide more information on the topic of Ebola and Emory’s care for these patients. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
