Since the outbreak first started in March, over 1,000 have been infected with the Ebola virus. Over 600 people have died in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This is the worst Ebola outbreak in history, and Ebola is one of the deadliest viruses in the world. The virus has now spread to Nigeria.
It was heart-sinking when the news broke that top Liberian health worker, Dr. Samuel Brisbane, died from the Ebola virus after treating countless victims.
Americans Infected with Ebola
An American doctor and an American missionary have been infected with the Ebola virus. Health workers are at the greatest risk of contracting the virus, which has no known cure or treatment.
Dr. Kent Brantley, a 33-year old American doctor, was working to treat Ebola victims in Liberia for Samaritan’s Purse when he fell ill. Originally from Texas, Dr. Brantley was doing a post-residency with the charity. Before he contracted the virus, he made this statement on the organization’s blog:
“The hospital is taking great effort to be prepared,” Brantly said. “In past Ebola outbreaks, many of the casualties have been healthcare workers who contracted the disease through their work caring for infected individuals.”
Nancy Writebol, a Liberia hospital worker and missionary with the SIM charity, was responsible for detoxing and cleaning the protective gear for those entering or leaving the isolated Ebola treatment center.
Sources:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-27/u-s-doctor-contracts-ebola-in-liberia-as-virus-reaches-nigeria.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/american-doctor-africa-tests-positive-ebola-24729144
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/official-ebola-kills-senior-doctor-liberia-24734444
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/7/26/ebola-nigeria-health.html
http://www.smh.com.au/world/us-doctor-contracts-ebola-as-virus-spreads-20140728-zxhvf.html
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Ebola Outbreak: Americans Now Infected, Top Doctor Dies