HOUSTON, Texas — Nina Pham, the first American to contract Ebola in the U.S., is being transferred to the National Institute of Health (NIH) isolation unit in Washington, D.C. Pham contracted Ebola after treating Thomas Eric Duncan during the final days of his treatment before he died.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services jointly evaluated the options for the continuing care of our patients, including Nina Pham,” said Candace White, Public Relations Specialist with Texas Health Resource in an email statement to Breitbart Texas. “We believe that transferring Nina to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the right decision. With many of the medical professionals who would normally staff the intensive care unit sidelined for continuous monitoring, it is in the best interest of the hospital employees, nurses, physicians and the community to give the hospital an opportunity to prepare for whatever comes next.”
“Throughout this situation, we have collaborated at every level — the hospital, CDC, Texas Department of State Health Services, Dallas County and the City of Dallas Mayor’s office,” White continued. “Our collaboration will continue, and we will share what we have learned so that all health systems around the country are better prepared to meet this global health crisis.
“I’m so thankful for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, my coworkers and complete strangers,” said Nina Pham in a statement from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital obtained by Breitbart Texas. “I feel very blessed, and have gained strength from their support. I appreciate everything that my coworkers have done to care for me at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. I’m doing really well thanks to this team, which is the best in the world. I believe in my talented coworkers. I am #presbyproud!”
Dr.Gary Weinstein, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine said, “It was a difficult decision to transfer Nina, a member of our own family and someone who is greatly loved and respected,” Dr.Weinstein continued, “We’re so glad she has improved so much in such a short amount of time. Our prayers are with her, and she’ll be in wonderful hands at NIH.”
With many of the medical professionals who would normally staff the intensive care unit sidelined for continuous monitoring, it is in the best interest of Nina, hospital employees, nurses, physicians and the community to give the hospital an opportunity to prepare for whatever comes next.
The transfer was first announced by the NIH’s National Director of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, during a Congressional hearing on the government’s handling of the Ebola virus in the United States according to a Reuters article by Terry Wade. “We will be supplying her with state-of-the-art care in our high-level containment facilities,” said Fauci.
Pham, the first American to contract Ebola on U.S. soil was treating Thomas Eric Duncan at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. Duncan eventually died from the disease he brought from Liberia to the United States. Pham’s fellow nurse Amber Vinson was transferred yesterday from Texas Health Presbyterian to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Vinson also treated Duncan during his final days.
House Speaker John Boehner has called for the resignation of Center for Disease Control Director, Dr. Thomas Frieden according to the Reuters article.
In Houston today, Senator Ted Cruz told Breitbart Texas he stands by his call for a travel ban on persons coming out of Ebola infected countries. He said the U.S. should stop approving travel visas for people coming from those countries.
Bob Price is a staff writer and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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