Advertisement Rick Sacra, treated for Ebola, admitted to UMass Memorial Hospital UMass Memorial isolates patient for Ebola testing Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Dr. Rick Sacra, of Holden, who doctors said was successfully treated for Ebola at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, was admitted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester Saturday morning with a respiratory illness.Ebola: What to knowDoctors do not think it likely that Sacra, who has been suffering from a persistent cough and low-grade fever for several days, has suffered a relapse of Ebola."Even though the likelihood of Dr. Sacra having a relapse of Ebola is extremely low, doctors will run tests to be 100 percent sure,” said Dr. Phil Smith, medical director of the Biocontainment Unit at The Nebraska Medical Center."Because of his recent battle with the Ebola virus, his immune system is compromised," said Smith, who treated Sacra for Ebola. "The symptoms he has are indicative of a respiratory illness and are not those of someone suffering from Ebola.Smith said the public shouldn't be concerned that his Ebola has returned.“Dr. Sacra is in stable condition and being monitored carefully. We’re waiting for final test results from the CDC which we expect to receive late Monday,” said Dr. Robert Finberg of UMass Memorial Medical Center. "We think it is highly unlikely that he has Ebola."The hospital said earlier Saturday that it had placed a patient in isolation, though a spokeswoman said doctors there do not believe the person has Ebola. It was not clear if the patient was Sacra, since no personal information was released.The hospital took the step because the patient, “has a history of travel to and from West Africa,” spokeswoman Peggy Thrappas said in a statement.“We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and the MassachusettsDepartment of Public Health, and carefully following specific plans and guidelines for the management of patients with suspected Ebola,” Thrappas said.