The nurse at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas who became infected with Ebola after caring for another Ebola patient is Nina Pham, a 26 year-old with a degree in nursing from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.
Ms. Pham was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Oct. 10, and her case of Ebola was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oct. 12.
According to a USA TODAY report, Ms. Pham has received a blood transfusion from Kent Brantly, MD, an American missionary who survived the Ebola virus earlier this year. Dr. Brantly has given his blood to two other Ebola patients, including Richard Sacra, MD, who was treated at The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Earlier this week, Thomas Frieden, MD, director of the CDC, said Ms. Pham was infected with Ebola due to a "breach in protocol." He has since backed down from such language, issuing a statement that reads: "Some interpreted [that phrase] as finding fault with the hospital or the healthcare workers. And, I'm sorry if that was the impression given. That was certainly not my intention. People on the front lines are really protecting all of us."
He added: "What we need to do is all take responsibility for improving the safety of those on the front lines…All of us have to work together to do whatever is possible to reduce the risk that any other healthcare worker becomes infected."