Ebola Virus Outbreak 2014: SIM Missionaries Working In Liberia Will Return To The US

U.S. missionaries associated with SIM, a Chrisitian organization in North Carolina, who have been working with Ebola patients in Liberia are set to return to the United States. The missionaries will be placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure and SIM is working with the state Deparment of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health as well as local health officials.

"SIM USA has been working closely with international, national, state and local public health officials since this most recent outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa began. We will continue to cooperate and collaborate with them and adhere strictly to their guidelines in the return of our missionaries to the United States," said Bruce Johnson, SIM USA president, said in a statement.

SIM did not detail the number of missionaries that will return to the U.S. but the Associated Press reports the individuals will stay in quarantine for a period of three weeks. Ebola symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, vomiting and weakness, can be seen in patients from two to 21 days after the individual contracts the virus, the World Health Organization said. During quarantine, the missionaries will be monitored for any signs of Ebola.

Nancy Writebol, the American Ebola patient currently receiving treatment at Emory University Hospital, was a SIM missionary in Liberia when she contracted the virus. Writebol is said to be improving as is Kent Brantly, the American doctor who contracted Ebola while treating Ebola patients for Samaritan's Purse.