US patients with Ebola discharged from hospital

Two American aid workers who contracted the Ebola virus while treating patients in West Africa have been discharged from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, the hospital said Thursday.

The hospital said in a statement that Nancy Writebol was released from the hospital Tuesday while a second patient Kent Brantly was discharged Thursday.

"After a rigorous and successful course of treatment and testing, the Emory Healthcare team has determined that both patients have recovered from the Ebola virus and can return to their families and community without concern for spreading this infection to others," said Bruce Ribner, director of Emory's Infectious Disease Unit.

Criteria for the patients' discharges were based on blood and urine diagnostic tests and standard infectious disease protocols, the hospital said.

"The Emory medical team has maintained its extensive safety procedures throughout this treatment process and is confident that the discharge of these patients poses no public health threat," it said.

In a televised press conference at the hospital, Brantly and his wife hugged every member of the hospital staff that helped him recover.

"Today is a miraculous day. I'm thrilled to be alive, be well and be reunited with my family," he said.

Brantly was flown to Emory University Hospital for treatment on Aug. 2. His colleague in Liberia, Nancy Writebol, arrived there three days later.

Both patients received an experimental treatment known as ZMapp while still in West Africa, where the Ebola outbreak has killed more than 1,300 people. Experts, however, warned that it's still unclear if their recovery is due to the ZMapp treatment.