Watch more news videos | Latest world newsCopy

The latest American doctor to be infected with Ebola in West Africa is on his way to the United States for treatment at Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Rick Sacra, 51, was treating pregnant women in the ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, when he became infected with the deadly virus, according to SIM, an international, interdenominational Christian organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I just had a call from the doctor who put Rick on a plane to come to the United States, his wife, Debbie Sacra, said at a news conference, her voice breaking. He said that Rick is clearly sick, but that he was in very good spirits.

He walked onto the plane, so we are really encouraged by that news and looking forward to reuniting with him, she added.

Sacra, an assistant professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School, was not treating Ebola patients in the hospitals separate Ebola isolation facility, the group said, adding that it was unclear how he contracted the virus. All infected U.S. health workers were working at the ELWA hospital when they contracted the virus.

Sacra was expected to arrive in Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday morning. He has been isolated in the ELWA Ebola ward.

Sacra specializes in family medicine and practices in Worcester, Massachusetts, but he traveled to Liberia in August.

I knew he needed to go, Debbie Sacra said, adding that he knew there was a risk he would contract Ebola but he wanted to help people with malaria and pregnant women amid the outbreak.

He is not someone who can stand back when there is a need that he can take care of, she said.

View original post here:

American Doctor with Ebola Headed to Omaha Hospital