American video journalist Ashoka Mukpo is now being treated with an experimental drug at the Nebraska Medical Center’s Biocontainment Unit.
The drug is called Brincidofovir. Dr. Phil Smith, Director of the NMC Biocontainment Unit, said they made the decision to treat Mukpo with the drug after checking the drug information, working with the CDC and FDA and talking to the patient and his family.
Doctors believe this drug is the best option for Mukpo but they are also looking at other treatment possibilities as well.
Mukpo’s father, Dr. Mitchell Levy says Mukpo continues to be nauseated and has experienced other symptoms that doctors said are “exactly what’s to be expected at this stage of the disease.”
Levy said he is happy with the quality of care his son is receiving at NMC and is thankful they were able to get him there so quickly to better his chances of recovery.
Dr. Joseph Acierno, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, wants to reassure Nebraskans that the staff at NMC are, “highly-trained professionals ready to provide quality medical care in a safe, self-contained environment.”
Mukpo contracted the virus while working in West Africa.