Condition Worsens for American Missionary with Ebola

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The condition of Nancy Writebol, a missionary who recently contracted Ebola while serving in Liberia, has worsened, according to SIM (www.simusa.org), the Christian missions organization with which she serves.  She continues her battle against the deadly virus.

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Writebol was serving alongside Dr. Kent Brantly on a joint team of people with Samaritan's Purse and SIM when they contracted Ebola.

Writebol is in stable, but serious condition and is receiving an experimental drug that doctors hope will better address her condition. Her husband, David, is close by. With her condition, he can only visit his wife through a window or dressed in a haz-mat suit.

"We continue to pray for Nancy's full and complete recovery," said Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA. "Even though her condition has worsened, we know she is receiving the best possible medical care, and we are thankful that she has access to this experimental drug. We believe in the power of prayer and ask people around the world not only to pray for Nancy and Kent, but also for everyone affected by this terrible virus."

To date, no other SIM personnel have tested positive for Ebola.

SIM remains committed to the safety of all personnel in affected areas and is in the process of removing all non-essential employees from Liberia.  SIM is not releasing a timeline for the evacuations or destinations because of a respect for the privacy of its personnel. The missions organization is taking safeguards that exceed the standards recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Despite these perilous conditions, SIM remains committed to Liberia. The organization currently has two SIM doctors caring for Writebol and Brantly, and SIM's Liberian staff is still engaged in the region. SIM ministries, including its radio station, school and HIV-AIDS public health education group, continue to operate.

The latest updates on Writebol's condition and its role in the Ebola epidemic in Liberia are available at SIM's website, www.simusa.org.

SIM is an international Christian mission with a staff of nearly 3,000 workers serving in more than 65 countries.  In addition to medicine, SIM serves on every continent in areas of education, community development, public health and Christian witness. While SIM stood for Sudan Interior Mission when it was founded 120 years ago, it is now a global mission known as SIM. Two of SIM's three founders died of malaria within the first year of the organization's founding. Yet SIM continued on to become one of the largest Christian medical missions in the world.

To schedule an interview with Bruce Johnson, president of SIM USA, contact Palmer Holt at 704-662-2569 or [email protected]. 

SOURCE SIM USA