Nina Pham, the first person to contract the Ebola virus in the U.S., is being transported to a Maryland hospital from a Dallas hospital, according to NBC News.
Pham, a nurse who contracted the virus while caring for Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, is reportedly in "good" condition and currently on her way to the National Institutes of Health's Special Clinical Studies Unit in Maryland. She is being transferred to the NIH facility per the request of Presbyterian Hospital, Pham and her family. Her plane is expected to touch down in Maryland by 11 p.m.
"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," Presbyterian Hospital said in a statement.
"I'm so thankful for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, my coworkers and complete strangers," Pham said in a statement. "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!"
NIH is one of four high-level containment units in the U.S., according to NBC News. Hospital staff said it was a "difficult decision" to transfer Pham, who is considered "family."
Pham's dog, Bentley, who was also exposed to Ebola, is being monitored for symptoms, according to NBC News.
