The NYC doctor diagnosed with Ebola upon his return from West Africa received a plasma transfusion Friday from an American Ebola survivor.
Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, was given a plasma transfusion at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital, the hospital said in a statement. The blood was from Nancy Writebol, aid worker who contracted the deadly disease in Africa and survived.
"I am praying for Dr. Spencer's recovery and am happy to be able to donate blood," Writebol told NBC News.
The hospital said Spencer is "entering the next phase of his illness," as expected. He is experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, which are normal at this phase of Ebola treatment. Spencer is awake and communicating.
Spencer's fiance was hospitalized after he was diagnosed with the virus, but she was sent home and quarantined last night, NBC News reports.
Blood transfusions from Ebola survivors appear to help cure those diagnosed with the virus. Transfusions cured Nina Pham, Amber Jay Vinson, Ashoka Mukpo and Dr. Rick Sacra - who are all Ebola survivors.
