The Dallas nurse who was diagnosed with Ebola after treating patient Thomas Eric Duncan has received a blood transfusion from the missionary who survived the deadly virus.
A spokesperson at Samaritan’s Purse confirmed that at the request of the hospital, Dr. Kent Brantly donated plasma to Nina Pham on Sunday.
It’s the third time Brantly has donated his blood to those fighting the virus since his own recovery. Brantly donated to the NBC freelance cameraman who was diagnosed in Liberia, and aid worker Dr. Rick Sacra, who also recovered from the virus and was released from the hospital in September.
Pham is doing “relatively well, so far,” according to her family’s priest, Father Jim Khoi.
“She’s doing well,” said Khoi, who was updated on her condition by Pham’s mom. “She’s very comfortable. She’s very supported now. She knows that everybody knew to pray for her especially in this difficult time.”
Pham is keeping in touch with her family via Skype and through phone calls as she remains in isolation, Khoi said.
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“Her mom is very calm and trusts everything to God’s hands,” Khoi said. He later asked that everyone not worry so much and said he had faith in Pham’s recovery.
“Soon Ebola will be something that is treated real well,” he said. “I’m very optimistic.”
Officials are still investigating how Pham contracted the disease after treating the late Duncan. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital says all protocols were followed to protect others from the virus when treating Duncan. Duncan died from Ebola last week.
SOURCE: Dallas News | PHOTO CREDIT: Handout
