One of the American aid workers is going to be airlifted back to the U.S. for treatment and care of the Ebola Virus. According to the CDC and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta a special non-stop jet left at 5:00pm on the mission to retrieve “an American” for treatment at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
a long range business jet with isolation pod left Georgia shortly after 5p, headed to Liberia to evac American with #Ebola infection.
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta (@drsanjaygupta) July 31, 2014
Given that only two Americans are known to be infected with the virus, Dr. Kent Brantly (below left), and aid worker Nancy Writebol (below right), both with Samaritans Purse, it can reasonably be assumed one of them will be aboard the transport.
Earlier reports from the region were that Dr. Brantly had given instructions for Mrs. Writebol to be treated first with any limited supplies of medication which might be available. Consequently the higher probability is that Mrs. Writebol is the patient being transported if only one person is retrieved.
ATLANTA – Emory University Hospital has been told that a patient with the Ebola virus will be transferred to its hospital in Atlanta.
Emory says it has a special isolation unit to treat patients that are exposed to serious infectious diseases that is separate from other patient areas at the hospital.
Emory’s isolation unit is one of only four such units in the country, according to the hospital, which also said that its staff are highly trained in the procedures necessary to care for the patient. A spokesperson from the hospital said the exact arrival date of the patient is unknown. (read more)
The @emory isolation unit is physically separate from other patient areas. Abt to receive patient with #Ebola. 1st time in US history.
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta (@drsanjaygupta) July 31, 2014