Nina Pham No Longer Has Ebola
Nina Pham, the second Dallas, Texas healthcare worker to contract the Ebola virus, has been declared Ebola-free by doctors at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
"I'd first and foremost like to thank God, my family and friends. Throughout this ordeal, I've put my trust in God and my medical team," said Pham at a press conference Friday. "I'm so incredibly thankful to everyone involved in my care."
Pham asked for privacy for both herself and her family, saying that she wanted to get back to her dog, Bentley.
Texas Governor Rick Perry said that Pham's recovery is "reason to celebrate," but not cause for relief.
"We thank [Pham] for her heroism and selflessness in the battle against Ebola," Perry said. "Rest assured, Texas will not let our guard down in doing everything necessary to protect our state and our citizens from this dangerous disease."
Pham was infected with Ebola while treating Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person in the U.S. to die of the disease. Duncan was from Liberia, Africa. Amber Vinson, the first healthcare worker to contract Ebola, has also been cleared of having the virus after testing positive.
The good news for Pham comes as a third U.S. Ebola case was reported this week. Dr. Craig Allen Spencer of New York tested positive for Ebola Thursday (Oct. 23). Spencer had treated Ebola patients in West Africa. He's currently isolated in Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital.
[via ABC]