Two US aid workers who contracted Ebola released from hospital

Washington, Aug 22: Two

aid workers who contracted the

virus while treating patients in west Africa have been discharged from the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, the hospital said on Thursday.

Nancy Writebol was released from the hospital on Tuesday while Kent Brantly was discharged on Thursday, Xinhua quoted a hospital statement as saying.

"After a rigorous and successful course of treatment and testing, the Emory Healthcare team has determined that both patients have recovered from the Ebola virus and can return to their families and community without concern of spreading this infection to others," Emory's Infectious Disease Unit director Bruce Ribner said.

Criteria for their discharge were based on blood and urine diagnostic tests and standard infectious disease protocols, the hospital said.

Criteria for their discharge were based on blood and urine diagnostic tests

"The Emory medical team has maintained its extensive safety procedures throughout this treatment process and is confident that the discharge of these patients poses no public health threat," it said.

In a televised press conference at the hospital, Brantly and his wife hugged every member of the hospital staff who helped him recover.

"Today is a miraculous day. I am thrilled to be alive, be well and be reunited with my family," Brantly said.

Brantly was flown to Emory University Hospital for treatment Aug 2. A second US Ebola patient, Nancy Writebol, arrived there three days later.

Both patients received an experimental treatment known as ZMapp while still in west Africa, where the Ebola outbreak has killed more than 1,300 people. Experts, however, warned that it was still unclear if their recovery was due to the ZMapp treatment.

IANS