Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the first person diagnosed with and treated for Ebola in the United States, Thomas Eric Duncan, has died.
The 42-year-old Liberian man had traveled to visit family in Texas, where he became the first person diagnosed with the deadly disease in the United States. Duncan began showing symptoms on September 24 and went to the hospital two days later. But he was sent home after that initial visit and wasn’t admitted again until September 28.
His condition was downgraded in recent days from serious to critical and passed away at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Among symptoms of the disease are bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea, and it can quickly lead to organ failure.
“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 a.m.,” the hospital said in a statement.
“Mr. Duncan succumbed to an insidious disease, Ebola. He fought courageously in this battle. Our professionals, the doctors and nurses in the unit, as well as the entire Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas community, are also grieving his passing,” the statement said.
Authorities have identified at least 10 people in Texas who were in direct contact with Duncan, as well as 38 others who may have had contact, but so far none have shown symptoms.
In a bid to ward off new cases, federal officials have ordered agents at U.S. airports and other points of entry to observe all arriving travelers for early signs of Ebola.
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