The first Ebola patient in the US has died at 7:51 a.m. on Wednesday, reports say.
Thomas Duncan, 42, was a Liberian man who had recently traveled to Africa, and was the first US citizen to have contracted the deadly virus. Duncan died while in isolation care at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.
“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,” said a spokesman from the hospital in Dallas, according to the BBC.
In recent days, the New York Times reports Duncan’s condition had worsened from serious to critical condition. Medical staff were on hand to support Duncan after this with fluids and electrolytes to replenish the lose of fluids which occurs when one is infected with Ebola. Duncan was also being treated with an experimental drug, called brincidofovir, to help combat the virus.
Upon returning from his trip to Africa, Duncan went to the hospital complaining of a stomach ache and fever, but hospital staff failed to test for Ebola on this visit and sent Duncan home. It was only days later when Duncan returned to the hospital that the virus was found to be in Duncan’s system.
According to CNN, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Thomas Frieden, offered his condolences to the Duncan family after this death. “He is a face that we associate now with Ebola,” said Frieden.
According to the same report, in order to help prevent the spread of Ebola, the body of Duncan will be cremated.
As of now, Duncan’s family members and close to 50 other Dallas residents are being monitored after having come into either first or second degree contact with Duncan after he returned from Africa.
