New York's first Ebola patient wins battle against the disease
Dr. Craig Spencer of New York City recovered from Ebola and was discharged from the hospital earlier today, November 11.
Dr. Spencer, 33, was working in the field in West Africa with the non-profit organization Doctors Without Borders when he contracted the virus. He was treating Ebola patients where he had close contact with sick individuals. After coming back to the US he went bowling, and rode public transportation before he started showing the symptoms of the disease. Three weeks ago, he reported a fever and was rushed to the hospital with an ambulance. Later that day, it was confirmed that he had Ebola. He was kept in isolation for three weeks until today. Spencer's infection caused a moderate panic in fellow New Yorkers after finding out that he took the subway and a cab, and also went out dining after he came back from Africa. Public health officials reassured the public, stating that people who don't show the symptoms of the disease such as fever don't spread the disease to the others. The doctors at Bellevue Hospital Center announced that Spencer was free of Ebola and doesn't pose any danger to the public, The New York Times reported. At a news conference standing along with the New York City Mayor Bill de Blassio, city officials, and hospital staff, Dr. Spencer said, "Today I am healthy and no longer infectious." He called for attention to West Africa where it all started, and help is desperately needed to fight the deadly, virus which claims many lives. "Please join me in returning our attention back to West Africa," Spencer said, and urged listeners to focus on Africa, the New York Times reported. Ebola is a major health problem for three West African nations; Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. This year's outbreak has claimed already almost 5,000 lives in total and the numbers are expected to rise.
