American Ebola victim Dr Kent Brantly says "I am growing stronger every day"

American Ebola victim Dr Kent Brantly has spoken for the first time since contracting the deadly virus saying: “I am growing stronger every day.”

The medic issued a statement from his hospital bed in an isolation ward at Emory University Hospital, near the headquarters for the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Dr Brantly, who moved to Liberia with his family to work as doctor for charity Samaritan’s Purse, said he was gradually getting better and thanked his religious faith for his recovery.

He said: “I am growing stronger every day, and I thank God for His mercy as I have wrestled with this terrible disease.”

He paid tribute to the staff and also said he prayed for the recovery of fellow American Nancy Writebol, who also contracted Ebola.

American Ebola victim Dr Kent Brantly has spoken for the first time since contracting the deadly virus saying: “I am growing stronger every day.”

The medic issued a statement from his hospital bed in an isolation ward at Emory University Hospital, near the headquarters for the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Dr Brantly, who moved to Liberia with his family to work as doctor for charity Samaritan’s Purse, said he was gradually getting better and thanked his religious faith for his recovery.

He said: “I am growing stronger every day, and I thank God for His mercy as I have wrestled with this terrible disease.”

He paid tribute to the staff and also said he prayed for the recovery of fellow American Nancy Writebol, who also contracted Ebola.

He was flown from the west African country back to the US last Sunday much to the dismay of some Americans who feared he could spread the disease further.

The 33-year-old revealed he immediately isolated himself when he began suffering the symptoms of the disease before it was confirmed he had contracted the bug three days later.

Since the outbreak more than 960 people have died from Ebola in West Africa this year.

There were 68 new cases and 29 deaths reported over the course of two days this week, the United Nations health agency said it brings the total number of cases to 1,779.

-The Mirror