Fort Worth

Tarrant County Proclaims Dec. 9 Kent Brantly Day

Dr. Kent Brantly was honored Tuesday at the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, as county leaders proclaimed Dec. 9 Dr. Kent Brantly Day.

The Fort Worth doctor was recognized for the work he has done in fighting Ebola, which he contracted himself while treating patients in West Africa.

“I am incredibly humbled,” said Brantly at Tuesday's meeting.

It's been four months since Brantly was infected with the potentially fatal disease and quickly became very sick.

“Thursday, the 31st of July, I almost died, and my doctors thought I was about to die. My caretakers in the room with me thought I was going to die. And they sent out the word asking everybody to pray for me. That was the night I also received Z-Mapp, the experimental drug,” said Brantly.

Days later, Brantly walked on his own power into Emory University Medical Center in Atlanta, where he received specialized care to beat the disease.

Now, he has fully recovered.

“I feel great. I feel like my health is back to normal,” he said Tuesday.

And since getting out, Brantly has been able to speak about his experience and those suffering from the epidemic in Africa. Brantly is continuing his work for Samaritan’s Purse, the organization he was with while in Liberia.

“I have the title of medical missions advisor for Samaritan's Purse, so I am doing a lot of speaking and working with the leadership of Samaritan's Purse and their response to Ebola,” added Brantly.

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