Breaking: The Texas Ebola patient has died

Thomas Eric Duncan was the first U.S. patient to be diagnosed with the disease

Published October 8, 2014 3:51PM (EDT)

Scanning electron microscopic image of Ebola virions                                                         (Public Library of Science)
Scanning electron microscopic image of Ebola virions (Public Library of Science)

Thomas Eric Duncan, the first patient to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States, passed away Wednesday morning. Here's the statement from 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 a.m.

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. We have offered the family our support and condolences at this difficult time.

Duncan is believed to have contacted the disease from a sick neighbor he was helping in Liberia; he arrived in Dallas on September 20 and, after being mistakenly sent home by the hospital, has been kept in isolation since September 28. He was on a ventilator and being treated for kidney dialysis; he was also receiving the experimental drug brincidofovir.

Officials are continuing to monitor 48 people in the Dallas area who may have come into contact with Duncan.


By Lindsay Abrams

MORE FROM Lindsay Abrams


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Ebola Public Health Texas