ATLANTA, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- American doctor Kent Brantly, the first known Ebola patient treated in the United States, said his condition is steadily improving in his first public statement since being transported to U.S. shores.

"I am growing stronger every day, and I thank God for His mercy as I have wrestled with this terrible disease," Brantly said in a statement released by Christian humanitarian organization Samaritan's Purse.


Brantly was transported to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after contracting the Ebola virus while treating victims in Libera.

"I held the hands of countless individuals as this terrible disease took their lives away from them," Brantly said. "I witnessed the horror first-hand, and I can still remember every face and name."

Brantly also goes on to recall the feeling of being being diagnosed with deadly disease.

"When I started feeling ill on that Wednesday morning, I immediately isolated myself until the test confirmed my diagnosis three days later. When the result was positive, I remember a deep sense of peace that was beyond all understanding," he said.

Nancy Writebol, an American nurse working with Brantly who also contracted Ebola and was transferred to Emory, has not spoken to the public since returning to the U.S. Her husband, David, said Nancy is still weakened, but improving.