Less than a month after being diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus, Doctor Craig Spencer of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF or Doctors Without Borders) was declared Ebola-free earlier this week.
During the 33-year-old's first public appearance since being infected with Ebola while working with MSF in Guinea, he said he is a "living example" of effective protocols.
"My recovery from Ebola speaks to the effectiveness of the protocols in place for health staff returning from West Africa at the time of my infection," quoted NBC News of Spencer. "I am a living example of how those protocols work, and of how early detection and isolation is critical to both surviving Ebola and ensuring that it is not transmitted to others."
Doctor Spencer was the first person in New York City to be infected with the virus, the fourth in the United States. He spent 20 days in isolation and underwent intensive medical treatment at the Bellevue Hospital in New York City after testing positive for Ebola on Oct. 23.
After rigorous testing, the doctor was released from the hospital as he now poses no health risk to the public, according to reports reaching CNN.
"Today I am healthy and no longer infectious," he said, per NBC News.
He recalled his experience in West Africa and said: "During this time, I cried as I held children who were not strong enough to survive the virus."
"But I also experienced immense joy when patients I treated were cured and invited me into their family as a brother upon discharge. Within a week of my diagnosis, many of these same patients called my personal phone to wish me well and ask if there was any way they could contribute to my care," added Spencer
According to the New York Times, Spencer was treated with an experimental drug along with a blood plasma from a recovered Ebola patient. As for those who came into contact with the doctor before his confinement, they have undergone quarantine procedures as a precautionary measure.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio applauded the city's response to its lone Ebola case and hailed Spencer as a hero.
"I would like to welcome Craig Spencer back to his normal life," quoted ABC News of de Blasio. "It is a good feeling to hug a hero, and we have a hero in our midst -- someone who served others no matter how much danger. He has been an inspiration throughout the challenges he's faced."
The doctor has asked for privacy and revealed he would not address the public again. He returned to his New York apartment with his parents and awaits his fiancée release who will remain in quarantine until Friday.
To date, the virus has killed nearly 5,000 people in west Africa and affected over 13,000 people. Learn more about Ebola by visiting the CDC website which offers comprehensive information.
