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Despite the help of an experimental drug, Ebola-infected British nurse is in critical condition Despite the help of an experimental drug, Ebola-infected British nurse is in critical condition
(35 minutes later)
As recently as two days ago, Pauline Cafferkey was talking, reading and sitting up in bed, according to news reports. Now, the condition of the 39-year-old nurse battling Ebola at a British hospital has deteriorated significantly, according to an update Saturday from the hospital.As recently as two days ago, Pauline Cafferkey was talking, reading and sitting up in bed, according to news reports. Now, the condition of the 39-year-old nurse battling Ebola at a British hospital has deteriorated significantly, according to an update Saturday from the hospital.
Cafferkey, a Scottish public health nurse, arrived in Britain Sunday night from Sierra Leone and became ill the next morning, according to the Associated Press.Cafferkey, a Scottish public health nurse, arrived in Britain Sunday night from Sierra Leone and became ill the next morning, according to the Associated Press.
Officials say she is the first patient diagnosed with Ebola on British soil, according to the AP.Officials say she is the first patient diagnosed with Ebola on British soil, according to the AP.
“The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is sorry to announce that the condition of Pauline Cafferkey has gradually deteriorated over the past two days and is now critical,” a statement posted on the hospital Web site said.“The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is sorry to announce that the condition of Pauline Cafferkey has gradually deteriorated over the past two days and is now critical,” a statement posted on the hospital Web site said.
My thoughts and prayers are with nurse Pauline Cafferkey who is in a critical condition with Ebola. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 3, 2015My thoughts and prayers are with nurse Pauline Cafferkey who is in a critical condition with Ebola. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 3, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with nurse Pauline Cafferkey who is in a critical condition with Ebola.My thoughts and prayers are with nurse Pauline Cafferkey who is in a critical condition with Ebola.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 3, 2015— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 3, 2015
My thoughts are with Pauline & her family at this extremely difficult time. Thanks to all who are caring for her. http://t.co/Zw6VWYyIjj — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 3, 2015My thoughts are with Pauline & her family at this extremely difficult time. Thanks to all who are caring for her. http://t.co/Zw6VWYyIjj — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 3, 2015
My thoughts are with Pauline & her family at this extremely difficult time. Thanks to all who are caring for her. http://t.co/Zw6VWYyIjjMy thoughts are with Pauline & her family at this extremely difficult time. Thanks to all who are caring for her. http://t.co/Zw6VWYyIjj
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 3, 2015— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 3, 2015
Cafferkey’s condition has deteriorated despite catching the virus early and having world-class infectious disease experts working on her behalf, according to the Guardian. She is being treated in an isolation unit at the hospital, receiving survivors’ plasma containing “Ebola-fighting antibodies” and an experimental antiviral drug that “is not proven to work,” according to the Guardian. In recent days, doctors have been able to discuss treatment options with the patient because she is a nurse, according to the Daily Express.Cafferkey’s condition has deteriorated despite catching the virus early and having world-class infectious disease experts working on her behalf, according to the Guardian. She is being treated in an isolation unit at the hospital, receiving survivors’ plasma containing “Ebola-fighting antibodies” and an experimental antiviral drug that “is not proven to work,” according to the Guardian. In recent days, doctors have been able to discuss treatment options with the patient because she is a nurse, according to the Daily Express.
Doctors were unable to obtain ZMapp, an experimental drug that has been used on Ebola patients, but has been in short supply for months, because it is no longer available, the Guardian reported.
Hugh Pennington, a microbiology expert and emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen told the Guardian that the complex virus continues to confound experts. He noted that doctors still don’t know the circumstances of Cafferkey’s infection, which could play a factor in her recovery.Hugh Pennington, a microbiology expert and emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen told the Guardian that the complex virus continues to confound experts. He noted that doctors still don’t know the circumstances of Cafferkey’s infection, which could play a factor in her recovery.
“The plasma is probably her best chance of treatment, as that is actual antibodies from people who have recovered from Ebola,” he said.  “Because of the small number of people treated with experimental drugs, it’s difficult to judge the percentage of success.”“The plasma is probably her best chance of treatment, as that is actual antibodies from people who have recovered from Ebola,” he said.  “Because of the small number of people treated with experimental drugs, it’s difficult to judge the percentage of success.”
In Sierra Leone, Cafferkey had worked with the charity Save the Children, according to the AP. During her time in Africa, she kept a diary that was published in a newspaper in Edinburgh.In Sierra Leone, Cafferkey had worked with the charity Save the Children, according to the AP. During her time in Africa, she kept a diary that was published in a newspaper in Edinburgh.
“My dreams always seem to have an Ebola theme, it seems to be all-consuming,” she wrote during her second week in the country, according to the Daily Mirror. “My dreams always seem to have an Ebola theme, it seems to be all-consuming,” she wrote during her second week in the country, according to the Daily Mirror.