CHARLOTTE, NC — Two Americans diagnosed with the deadly ebola virus in Africa are returning to the US. A medical charter flight left Georgia tonight and is headed to Liberia.
The plan is to evacuate Charlotte missionary Nancy Writebol and Dr. Kent Brantly, a Samaritan’s Purse volunteer. One of the patients will reportedly be taken to Emory Hospital near the CDC headquarter in Atlanta. However, officials haven’t confirmed which one.
We’re told Writebol was given an experimental drug Thursday. Dr. Brantly had the option of taking the treatment, but decided to give it to her instead. There was only enough for one dose. Both patients are in stable, but grave condition. Samaritan’s Purse confirms their conditions worsened overnight. Still, Writebol’s son Jeremy is hanging on to hope.
“I can communicate with Mom from time to time for a few minutes once a day, so that’s helping it, but it is a very difficult, emotional process for us,” he said.
The CDC issued a heightened travel warning to countries with ebola Thursday. The World Health Organization estimates 729 people have died from the virus this year.
