29th July, 2014
A doctor working for Samaritan’s Purse in the Liberian capital of Monrovia is one of a number of health care professionals who are now fighting for their lives after testing positive to the Ebola virus.
More than 670 people are believed to have died from the disease in the months long outbreak of the disease in West Africa, according to the World Health Organization, in what is the worst outbreak ever recorded. At least 1,200 people are believed to have been infected in the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Samaritan’s Purse said Dr Kent Brantly, a former Texan GP serving as medical director of the organisation’s care centre in Monrovia, was now fighting for his life. Dr Brantly’s wife and two children has been living with him in Liberia but returned to the US a few weeks ago, before he started showing any signs of illness.
Meanwhile Nancy Writebol, an American working with Christian organisation Serving In Mission (SIM) – which manages ELWA Hospital where they and Samaritan’s Purse had been working to combat the outbreak – has also contracted the virus.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, said the organisation was doing "everything possible" to help Dr Brantly and Ms Writebol and urged people to pray for those affected.
"Their heroic and sacrificial service – along with the entire team there – is a shining example of Christ’s love in this crisis situation," he said in a statement.
A number of other health care professionals who have been working to combat the virus in West Africa have also been diagnosed with the disease. At least two – including Dr Samuel Brisbane, a top Liberian doctor – have reportedly died.
~ www.samaritanspurse.org
~ www.who.int
– DAVID ADAMS