Mayor Rob Ford released from hospital

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been released from hospital after suffering from throat and stomach irritation that aggravated his asthma, his office confirms.

Press secretary George Christopoulos told CityNews the mayor was released early Thursday afternoon, and another member of his media team posted a picture of him on Twitter.

Reports say the mayor was back at work already and planning to attend the Taste of the Danforth festival which begins Friday evening.

Earlier, Ford’s family spoke about the mayor’s condition. Coun. Doug Ford told CityNews, “Rob’s doing all right. He has that infection in his throat but he’s going to be released today.”

The mayor’s mother Diane Ford said Thursday that he’s “feeling much better” and was expected to fully recover. She also thanked the public for the well wishes.

The mayor drove himself to Humber River Regional Hospital early Tuesday evening after feeling unwell.

His office said Wednesday that doctors believe the irritation was caused by “an adverse reaction to food.”

“The Mayor is in good spirits and is resting comfortably. He is looking forward to going home as soon as doctors allow,” Christopoulos said in a statement Wednesday.

Later that evening, Christopoulos tweeted out a photo of Ford reading papers from his hospital bed.

In an interview with CityNews, Doug Ford said his brother has had “bad asthma” his whole life, and speculated that overuse of his puffer may have contributed to his recent illness.

“They just want to check things out and run some tests on him and make everything is A-OK. He feels fine,” he said in a phone interview.

“He’s interested in his football picks and he’s answering his cellphone from his hospital bed. The guy’s a workaholic in my opinion.”

Ford’s illness forced him to miss a scheduled news conference Tuesday about the city’s new private garbage collection.

This isn’t the first time Ford has been hospitalized during his term in office.

In February 2011, he was treated for kidney stones at a local hospital.

Health concerns prompted the mayor and Doug, to start the Cut the Waist challenge earlier this year. The brothers had aimed to each lose 50 pounds by June 18.

The mayor missed the mark, shedding 17 pounds. He tipped the scale at 313 pounds at his final weigh-in.

Doug Ford fared better, trimming 35 pounds to 241.

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