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Aid group: American with Ebola weak but improving

ATLANTA — The husband of the second American aid worker recently diagnosed with Ebola says the patient is weak but showing signs of improvement.

The president of the aid group SIM USA said Tuesday that Nancy Writebol's husband described the woman as progressing. Bruce Johnson says he spoke with David Writebol, who said 59-year-old Nancy stood and got on a plane in Liberia with assistance to head to Atlanta for treatment. When she arrived Tuesday, she was wheeled in a stretcher.

David Writebol, still in Liberia, says the family was considering funeral arrangements, but now feels relieved and cautiously optimistic. He praised her treatment in Liberia.

SIM says it's working to bring David Writebol home.

In a statement, David said, "We still have a long ways to go but we still have reason for hope. Nancy and I are profoundly grateful to the U.S. government and all that were marshaled on behalf of them to have Nancy back in the U.S. I am very happy."

Johnson says SIM has spent nearly $1 million since the diagnoses of Nancy Writebol and the first American brought back, 33-year-old Dr. Kent Brantly. He works for Samaritan's Purse. Johnson says that group has spent more than $1 million.

Writebol is a missionary from Charlotte who contracted the virus in Liberia.

RAW VIDEO: Ebola patient Nancy Writebol wheeled into Emory University Hospital

A special plane transporting Writebol arrived Atlanta around 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, where Writebol is being treated.

Writebol was then transported to Emory University Hospital where she was wheeled in on a stretcher.

SIM USA officials said they are grateful for the government resources deployed to bring missionary Writebol back to the United States.

"Nancy has arrived safely. Let me just take a pause. Samaritan's Purse and SIM are so grateful," SIM President Bruce Johnson said while choking back tears.

RAW: SIM president speaks on Charlotte missionary with Ebola

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Johnson said Writebol is weak but was able to stand and walk from a stretcher onto the plane that brought her to Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia.

"We've seen her arrive on a stretcher. It was a much different scene than Kent (Brantly). There is an age difference between Kent and Nancy," Johnson said.

SIM officials said Writebol is exhibiting signs of an appetite and asked for soup and yogurt.

Her sons, Jeremy and Brian, arrived in Atlanta Tuesday to welcome her.

WATCH ENTIRE news conference with SIM on Nancy Writebol

Johnson said he does not know how Writebol contracted Ebola in Liberia. He said she did not have any direct contact with Ebola patients.

ABC News Chief Health & Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser said the doctors at Emory will first assess Nancy's condition and prioritize her needs.

RAW INTERVIEW: ABC's Dr. Besser says Ebola being handled in special way in U.S.

"If she's at all dehydrated, they can give her fluid. If she needs a blood transfusion, they can do that. It's the supportive care that they can give that she would not have been able to get in Liberia that hopefully can make a difference here," Besser said.

The two Americans infected with Ebola are getting an experimental drug so novel it has never been tested for safety in humans.

Ebola has killed at least 887 people in four West African countries.

WSB-TV has learned DeKalb County police were on high alert Tuesday because of threats directed at Writebol's ride to the hospital.  READ MORE.