New York Ebola Patient Craig Spencer Enters Next Phase Of Illness

The New York City doctor who tested positive for Ebola has entered the next phase of his illness, according to the New York City Health And Hospitals Corporation.

A press release from NYC HHC indicated that Dr. Craig Spencer has begun to experience gastrointestinal symptoms. He is said to be awake and communicating.

Spencer had been treating patients for the disease with Doctors Without Borders in Guinea and was admitted to Bellevue Hospital Center after developing a fever this Thursday.

HHC also reported that Spencer's fiance Morgan Dixon , who has been in isolation at the same hospital as a precaution, will return to her home under quarantine.

Spencer is New York's first Ebola patient, and as such has generated significant attention.

At a press conference on Thursday night, Mayor Bill de Blasio stated, "There is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed." In an attempt to quell potential fears of New York residents, de Blasio explained, "New Yorkers who have not been exposed to an infected person's bodily fluids are not at all at risk."

The full press release from NYC HHC can be found below:

For Immediate Release
October 25, 2014; 6:00 pm
Contact: HHCpress@nychhc.org

Update on Ebola Patient

Joint Statement of Health and Hospitals Corporation
and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

October 25, 2014 ---The patient at Bellevue Hospital Center is entering the next phase of his illness, as anticipated with the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms.

The patient is awake and communicating. The Bellevue clinical team in charge of care for the patient is in constant communication with CDC and with other leading medical centers such as Emory University Hospital and the Nebraska Medical Center. A large CDC team has been actively involved in advising the Bellevue staff and we are very appreciative of the additional guidance.

In addition to the required supportive therapy, we initiated antiviral therapy within hours of admission. We also administered plasma therapy yesterday. These therapies have been used at Emory and Nebraska.

The patient's fiance will return to her home this evening under quarantine.