Dr. Rick Sacra, the Massachusetts doctor who was treated for and recovered from Ebola last month, tested negative for the virus after being admitted to the hospital, officials confirmed Sunday night.
Sacra is at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester because of respiratory health concerns. The hospital announced that the Centers for Disease Control had determined he has not redeveloped the virus.
"He complained of symptoms that appear to be related to an upper respiratory tract infection," said Dr. Robert Finberg of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center Sunday.
Sacra had been in isolation, but was removed after UMass Memorial received the confirmation from the CDC.
Ebola may have weakened the Holden man's immune system, leading doctors to believe he may have been developing pneumonia, according to an official with the Nebraska hospital where he was treated for the virus.
Sunday, Finberg agreed that the virus may have impacted his immune system.
"That's certainly possible. This took a lot out of him, obviously, it was a prolonged illness," he said. "It's possible that he may have gotten this because of it."
U.S. & World
Sacra's temperature reached around 101 degrees, according to Finberg, who added that he still has a fever and "a little cough."
UMass Memorial confirmed to NECN Saturday night that Sacra was the patient they announced earlier in the day they were examining for a potential case of Ebola.
The hospital says that it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Sacra returned to the Bay State on Sept. 25 after weeks of treatment in Nebraska.
As concerns over the virus mount in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control sent some tweets reminding those concerned about how the virus is spread.
#Ebola is spread by direct contact w/ body fluids of a sick person or exposure to contaminated objects, like needles. pic.twitter.com/AJJTeZtF51 — CDC (@CDCgov) October 5, 2014
Ebola is not spread through casual contact or through the air. pic.twitter.com/0tWaoztrZg — CDC (@CDCgov) October 5, 2014
