Scottish public health nurse Pauline Cafferkey became infected with Ebola while conducting aid work in Sierra Leone in 2014. After fighting off the deadly virus, the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board announced she’s given birth to twin boys.
“I would like to thank all the wonderful NHS staff who have helped me since I became ill in 2014 right through to having my babies this week,” the 43-year-old said in a statement. “This shows that there is life after Ebola and there is a future for those who have encountered this disease.”
Both mother and babies are doing well.
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The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak was the largest in history, and according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sierra Leone suffered the highest number of fatal cases.
The country didn’t have enough treatment facilities available when the outbreak got out of hand and heavily relied on the CDC and volunteers from several charities, including Save the Children Ebola Treatment Centre, where Cafferkey worked.
Cafferkey didn't learn she was at risk until she returned to her home in the United Kingdom, according to CNN. After her diagnosis, she was moved for intensive treatment at London's Royal Free Hospital and was eventually discharged. Though she survived the initial illness, Cafferkey has been in and out of the hospital over the years.
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She also had to face a hearing over misconduct charges, but was cleared of those charges.
During the 2014 outbreak, approximately 11,000 people died of Ebola, according to the World Health Organization. The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently facing another outbreak and the deadly virus has crossed into Uganda, where three cases including one death have been confirmed.
Nearly 1,400 people have died since this outbreak was declared in August.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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