Thursday, March 28, 2024

Doctor with Ebola dies

Date:

Share post:

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) – A surgeon who contracted Ebola in his native Sierra Leone died today while being treated in a biocontainment unit at a Nebraska hospital, the facility said.

Dr Martin Salia died of the disease shortly after 4 a.m., Nebraska Medical Centre spokesman Taylor Wilson said.

“Dr Salia was extremely critical when he arrived here, and unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we weren’t able to save him,” said Dr Phil Smith, medical director of the biocontainment unit.

Salia, 44, had advanced symptoms when he arrived at the hospital Saturday, including kidney and respiratory failure, the hospital said in a statement. He was placed on dialysis and a ventilator, and was given several medications to support his organ systems.

Salia was given the experimental drug ZMapp on Saturday. He also received a plasma transfusion from an Ebola survivor – a treatment that is believed to provide antibodies to fight the virus.

“We used every possible treatment available to give Dr Salia every possible opportunity for survival,” Smith said. “”As we have learned, early treatment with these patients is essential. In Dr Salia’s case, his disease was already extremely advanced by the time he came here for treatment.”

Two other Ebola patients have been successfully treated at the Omaha hospital. Of ten people to be treated for the disease in the United States, all but two have recovered. Thomas Eric Duncan, of Liberia, died at a Dallas hospital in October.

Salia’s wife, Isatu Salia, said today that she and her family were grateful for the efforts made by her husband’s medical team.

“We are so appreciative of the opportunity for my husband to be treated here and believe he was in the best place possible,” Salia said.

Ebola has killed more than 5 000 people in West Africa, mostly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Five other doctors in Sierra Leone have contracted Ebola, and all have died.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

BDF to conduct simulation exercise on April 2 & 3

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) will conduct a Mass Casualty Simulation Exercise from Tuesday, April 2, to Wednesday,...

Barbadians reminded to file taxes online as filing season starts

The Barbados Revenue Authority (the BRA) is advising that tax filing season for 2023 begins on April 1 this...

Minister Abrahams’ statement on Ismail Patel’s passing

Below is the full statement by Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams: I was saddened to...

Water bills for March to include February charges

A few weeks ago, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) informed customers in parts of Christ Church and St....