The American doctor who contracted Ebola while working with an aid organization in Liberia appears to be improving, a top U.S. health official said Sunday, less than 24 hours after the doctor was admitted to an Atlanta hospital for treatment. Dr. Kent Brantly “seems to be improving — that’s really important — and we’re hoping he’ll continue to improve,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Reuters. Frieden added that authorities and doctors are still monitoring Brantly closely.
Ebola has no known cure and can be treated only with “supportive therapy,” such as balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, monitoring vital signs and treating any additional infections, according to the CDC. Brantly was flown in a specially outfitted plane from Liberia to Atlanta on Saturday and then taken by ambulance to EmoryUniversityHospital. Medical professionals and his family were encouraged when he walked the short distance from the ambulance to the entrance of the hospital, with the assistance of an aide, instead of being brought in on a stretcher