Franklin Graham Hails Dr. Kent Brantly's 'Courageous Spirit' As He's Released From Ebola Treatment

The American Christian doctor being treated for Ebola after working in a Liberian clinic will be released Thursday from the hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, officials have confirmed.

Kent Brantly, who worked for the evangelical humanitarian group Samaritan's Purse in Liberia, was diagnosed with the deadly disease in late August. The doctor, along with an American aid worker from his clinic, received an experimental serum known as ZMapp to treat the virus. The serum, although proven successful, was risky as it had only been tested on monkeys prior to Brantly.

Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, released a statement ahead of Brantly's release, hailing the 33-year-old doctor for his bravery and thanking his staff for their continued effort in fighting and treating the infectious disease. Graham said he "marveled at Dr. Brantly's courageous spirit as he has fought this horrible virus."

Last Friday, Brantly released a statement imploring on the world to "continue to pray for and bring attention to those suffering in the ongoing Ebola crisis in West Africa."

Nancy Writebol, Brantly's fellow aid worker who was also admitted to the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, is also expected to be moved from the hospital's isolation unit, although it remains unclear when she will be completely discharged from the hospital.

Since the largest Ebola outbreak in history began in March 2014 in West Africa, over 1,300 have died from the disease that has symptoms of a fever, sore throat, muscle pains and headaches. Several West African countries, along with the World Health Organization, have declared this recent outbreak to be a global health emergency.