Second American Tests Positive For Ebola Virus

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A second American aid worker has tested positive for the Ebola virus at the same hospital in Liberia where the first American, who is a top doctor, became infected, while helping to combat an outbreak of the deadly disease.

Ken Isaacs, a vice president of Samaritan's Purse, reported that the first American who tested positive, 33-year old Dr. Kent Brantly, was the medical director for the group's Ebola care center on the outskirts of the Liberian capital of Monrovia. They say his condition is stable but very serious.

 

Isaacs told AP by telephone

"We are hopeful and prayerful,"  

He said the doctor quickly recognized the symptoms and sought speedy treatment.

Isaacs identified the second American that has been infected as Nancy Writebol. Nancy is a worker with an allied aid group SIM, or Serving in Mission, which runs the hospital where Samaritan's Purse has an Ebola care center on the grounds. He said,

"She (Nancy) is showing full symptoms of the disease," 

He added that Nancy had been working as a hygienist who decontaminated those entering and leaving the Ebola care area at the hospital.

He said both Americans have since been isolated and are under intensive treatment.

He continued,

"It's been a shock to everyone on our team to have two of our players get pounded with the disease," 

 "Our team is frankly getting tired."

The highly contagious virus is one of the most deadly diseases in the world. Shockingly though, not everyone infected with the virus dies. The reason why it happens this way is still unclear to scientists. But they partly believe it has to do with the strength of the individual’s immune system, the strain of the virus and the viral dose the person has been exposed to


Credit: Huffington Post