Ebola Patient From Providence Receives Experimental Drug
OMAHA, Neb. (CBS) – Ashoka Mukpo, a photojournalist from Providence, received an experimental drug as his treatment continues for Ebola.
Nebraska Medical Center officials said Mukpo is being treated for Ebola with Brincidofovir, which is made by biopharmaceutical company Chimerix.
"After looking at the data on this drug, collaborating with the CDC and FDA and speaking with the patient and his family, we decided this was currently our best option for treatment," said Phil Smith, M.D., medical director of the Nebraska Medical Center's Biocontainment Unit.
"Every patient is somewhat different, and we believe Brincidofovir is the best choice."
Hospital officials said on Tuesday that their experience treating Dr. Rick Sacra, a Holden resident, is having a positive impact as they treat Mukpo. Sacra is back home, cured of Ebola after being treated in Nebraska.
The Providence native is uncertain how he contracted Ebola while in Africa, but believes it may have happened when he was power washing a car that a person had died in.
Dr. Mitchell Levy, Mukpo's father, said his son continues to suffer from nausea and vomiting, but added that is what was expected at the current stage of the disease.
"We're so happy he was able to get here in such a timely manner to give him his best possible chance of recovery," said Levy. "We are thrilled with the quality of medical care we see going on here."
Doctors said that in addition to the experimental medicine, they will keep all options open in treating Mukpo.
"The staff is upbeat and the mood of the entire team treating Mr. Muckpo is extremely positive," said Shelly Schwedhelm, director of ED, trauma and emergency preparedness at Nebraska Medical Center
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