Scottish nurse with Ebola shows signs of improvement

The Scottish nurse being treated for Ebola in a London hospital is no longer critically ill, the hospital said Monday.

A statement issued by Royal Free Hospital said it is “pleased to announce that Pauline Cafferkey is showing signs of improvement.” Cafferkey remains in isolation as she receives specialist care, the statement said.

Cafferkey, 39, was diagnosed with Ebola in Glasgow on Dec. 28 after she returned from treating Ebola patients at a Save the Children treatment center in Sierra Leone.

Save the Children has been conducting a review since Cafferkey tested positive to see how she might have contracted the deadly virus, the organization said in a statement last week.

“The work of these brave health workers is never risk-free, but we are committed to doing everything possible to learn what happened and, if necessary, to make changes to our protocols and practice,” the statement said. “Staff safety is our number one priority and our thoughts are with Pauline and her family at this very difficult time.”

Royal Free Hospital released a statement on behalf of the Cafferkey family last week that said, “We would like to thank all our friends, family and the members of the public who have contacted us with support following Pauline’s diagnosis with Ebola. We have been very touched by the kind words.”

Cafferkey is Britain’s second Ebola patient. The first, William Pooley, was diagnosed in Sierra Leone and was successfully treated at the Royal Free Hospital.

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