Q: What is the story on the unidentified male patient with Ebola at Emory?
—Tom Hundley, Peachtree City
A: That patient, who was admitted to Emory on Sept. 9, was flown from Sierra Leone, where he was working for the World Health Organization. He has requested to remain anonymous, but the hospital released a statement on his behalf on Wednesday. "Given the national focus on Ebola, particularly with the diagnosis in two healthcare workers, I want to share the news that I am recovering from this disease, and that I anticipate being discharged very soon, free from the Ebola virus and able to return safely to my family and to my community."
His is illness “worsened” after he arrived at Emory, according to the statement, and that he was “critically ill,” but he is “on the way to a full recovery.” It continued: “I wish to retain my anonymity for now, but I anticipate sharing more information in future weeks as I complete my recovery.”
Amber Vinson, a nurse from Dallas, Texas, was admitted to Emory this week after she was infected while treating Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian man, last week at a Texas hospital. Duncan died from the disease.
Emory successfully treated Dr. Kent Brantly and American aid worker Nancy Writebol, who contracted the disease while working with the faith-based charity Samaritan’s Purse in Liberia. They were admitted in early August and released later that month. Another nurse, Nina Pham, who also cared for Duncan, is being treated in Dallas.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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