A Dallas nurse who recovered from Ebola will soon be reunited with her dog, which has been sequestered since his owner became ill.
The King Charles Cavalier spaniel named Bentley is in quarantine at an abandoned Navy base in Dallas. Dallas Animal Services workers have been helping to take care of Bentley.
His owner, Nina Pham, was diagnosed with Ebola earlier this month. She contracted the virus while caring for a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, who died Oct. 8.
The reunion is scheduled for Saturday.
City spokeswoman Sana Syed said that the dog has tested negative for Ebola. Additional tests on Thursday showed the dog continues to be Ebola-free. His 21-day quarantine -- the Ebola incubation period -- ends Saturday.
Pham was released from her own quarantine Oct. 24.
Syed says Pham won't visit the dog sooner because he may become anxious if he sees her but is then left behind in isolation.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins plan to join in the celebration Saturday morning.
Dallas Animal Services has posted this video of Bentley in isolation:
All 3 samples came back negative today. We're planning the big reunion for Sat -Nina is ready! Will keep y'all posted pic.twitter.com/w49xd1BxQY
— Dr. Sana Syed (@SanaSyedKI) October 30, 2014
