Ebola-Infected Mass. Doctor: ‘I Thought I Might Die’
Richard Sacra, the Worcester physician who contracted Ebola while working in Liberia, said he was “very happy’’ about being Ebola-free in a press conference on Friday. But he’s still got a ways to go until he’s fully back to normal.
“I’ve got to tell you I’m tired,’’ Sacra said, flanked by his wife Debbie. “Yesterday was my biggest day in the last month. My legs are wobbly and I’m very tired. I’ve been told that this process of getting well is going to be two-to-three months. It’s not a quick recovery.’’
Sacra, an assistant professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School, was diagnosed with Ebola on August 29 while working in a clinic in Monrovia. He was then flown to Nebraska Medical Center on Sept. 5 where he was treated with an experimental Ebola drug, two blood transfusions, and IV fluids. He was declared Ebola free and was released from the hospital Thursday.
Sacra, who is now back in Worcester, admitted his fears when he first came down with the disease.
“I thought I might die,’’ he said.
He had lost 15 pounds since contracting the disease.
Sacra emphasized that Liberia, which he called his “adopted second home,’’ still needs help in stopping the rapidly spreading disease.
“Though my fight with Ebola is finished, unfortunately it appears that West Africa’s fight with Ebola is continuing to increase in intensity and severity,’’ Sacra said.
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