The family of the only known British victim of the current Ebola outbreak yesterday praised the “excellent care” he is receiving on the NHS.
Will Pooley is being treated for the deadly disease at the Royal Free hospital in Hampstead, north London.
In what hospital bosses have described as a “strict regime,” doctors will treat him through a shroud of plastic and rubber gloves to prevent contagion.
Speaking for the first time since the 29-year-old volunteer nurse returned from Africa for treatment, his family paid tribute to public-service heroes who brought him home.
In a statement, they said: “We would like to express our thanks to all involved in bringing our son back to the UK.
“We have been astounded by the speed and way in which the various international and government agencies have worked together to get Will home.
“Will is receiving excellent care at the Royal Free hospital and we could not ask for him to be in a better place.
“We would like to thank all our family and friends for their best wishes and ask everyone to remember those in other parts of the world suffering with Ebola who do not have access to the same healthcare facilities as Will.”Suffolk-born Mr Pooley caught the virus while in Sierra Leone, where he had been volunteering at the Ebola centre in Kenema.
He was airlifted by a military plane on Sunday night.
Ebola, which is transmitted through sweat, blood and saliva, has no known cure.
The latest outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 2,500 people.
Twenty-four hour treatment is likely to improve Mr Pooley’s chance of survival but there are still no guarantees.
NHS bosses are said to be keen to give him experimental drug ZMapp, which helped the recovery of two US aid workers.
Manufacturers say high demand has depleted stocks, but the Department for Health is reportedly trying to find doses for Mr Pooley.