Dallas Ebola Patient, Thomas Eric Duncan Dies; First Ebola Victim Diagnosed in US

Aimee Herd : Oct 8, 2014
Lisa Maria Garza, Richard Valdmanis - Reuters

"It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning at 7:51 am." –Wendell Watson, hospital spokesman.

Thomas Eric Duncan, who was the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus in the United States, died this morning, according to media reports. (Photo via Charisma News/Facebook)

Duncan was a Liberian national, who had flown to Texas to visit family on September 20th, and soon after developed symptoms of the illness, which eventually landed him in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.

About 48 people who had contact with Duncan in the US, are reportedly being monitored for any signs of Ebola.

Reports say Duncan was able to fly to the US because he was not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus, and because he falsely stated that he had had no contact with anyone infected with Ebola. (However, Duncan had actually been in contact with a pregnant woman who later died of the disease, Liberian officials discovered)

"The past week has been an enormous test of our health system, said David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Dept. of State Health Services, "but for one family it has been far more personal. Today they lost a dear member of their family. They have our sincere condolences, and we are keeping them in our thoughts."

Meanwhile, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden stated that he was "confident the disease would not spread widely within the United States," said a Reuters report.