Dr. Rick Sacra, an American missionary who contracted Ebola in Africa, has received blood plasma transfusions from Dr. Kent Brantly, a fellow missionary who has recovered from the disease, doctors involved in Sacra’s treatment confirmed Thursday.
Sacra, 51, and Brantly, 33, each contracted the virus while caring for Ebola patients in Liberia. Brantly, along with missionary Nancy Writebol, was treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and discharged last month. Sacra, who was infected later, arrived a week ago at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Sacra has received two blood plasma transfusions from Brantly, Dr. Phil Smith, director of the Nebraska hospital’s biocontainment unit, said Thursday at a news conference.
“We’re hoping to jump-start his immunity,” Smith said.
There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola, which is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of those infected.
