Doctors at the Royal Free Hospital have confirmed that Pauline Cafferkey’s condition has significantly improved.

At a press conference today Dr Michael Jacobs, consultant in infectious diseases, said that Pauline became unwell with viral meningitis caused by her original Ebola infection. 

Pauline was first admitted to the high level isolation unit (HLIU) at the Royal Free Hospital in December 2014 after contracting the disease while working in Sierra Leone. She was discharged in January this year after making a recovery.

On 8 October 2015 she was re-admitted to the HLIU after developing late complications from her Ebola infection.

Dr Jacobs said: “I am really pleased that Pauline has made a significant improvement. She is inside the tent, she is still in bed, but she is talking freely within the tent. She has got a long recovery ahead of her and she will be with us for quite a while.”

After careful consideration Pauline decided she would take the experimental drug GS-5734, which is an anti-viral drug.

Dr Jacobs added: “I am hopeful Pauline will make a full recovery – maybe it will be with the help of this anti-viral drug, maybe it will be down to her own immune system. Over time I anticipate that the virus will be eradicated from her completely.”

Watch the video from the press conference below:

ENDS

Image: Dr Michael Jacobs, infectious diseases consultant at the Royal Free Hospital, and Dr Daniel Bausch, Ebola lead at the World Health Organization, speaking at today's press conference. 

Notes to editors

Media contacts: mary.mcconnell2@nhs.net or call 020 7472 6665

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.