Massachusetts Doctor Infected With Ebola In Liberia

BOSTON (CBS/AP) – A third American doctor who tested positive for the Ebola virus in Liberia is a Massachusetts resident. SIM USA announced on Wednesday that missionary doctor Rick Sacra, who is from Holden and associated with Family Health Center in Worcester, contracted the Ebola virus while delivering babies in the obstetrics unit of SIM’s ELWA hospital in Monrovia, Liberia. Sacra was not caring for Ebola patients, and it is unclear exactly how he contracted the virus. Sacra, 51, is a Wayland native. Read: Rick Sacra’s Wife, Brother Speak Out It is unknown whether Sacra will return to the United States for treatment. “My heart was deeply saddened, but my faith was not shaken, when I learned another of our missionary doctors contracted Ebola,” said Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA. “As a global mission, we are surrounding our missionary with prayer, as well as our Liberian SIM/ELWA colleagues, who continue fighting the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. We have gifted Liberian doctors, medical staff and support staff who are carrying on the fight.” Johnson said at a news conference Wednesday that Sacra returned to Liberia about a month ago after another SIM doctor and a missionary became ill with Ebola. Both survived after treatment at Emory University in Atlanta. When Sacra began to see symptoms of Ebola, he immediately isolated himself and was then transferred to an isolation unit. The organization added that Sacra is “doing well and is in good spirits...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Watch Listen CBS Boston Dr. Mallika Marshall ebola virus Rick Sacra Source Type: news