Thomas Eric Duncan, the first patient diagnosed on U.S. soil with the deadly Ebola virus, has died from the disease after about 3 weeks of treatment.
"It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning," the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital said in a statement.
The Liberian national was pronounced dead at 7.51 am on Wednesday at the Dallas hospital where he was being treated.
"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," the hospital press release revealed.
Duncan, who initially traveled from Liberia to visit his family in the U.S. last month, showed no signs of the virus during the flight and several days after arriving in the country.
Some time later, after complaining of fever and abdominal pains he was taken to the Dallas health facility. But nurses sent him away without realising the grave implications of his predicament.
After his condition took a turn for the worst later in the month, Duncan was rushed via ambulance to the same hospital. This time he was immediately isolated and treated after tests confirmed he was infected with the disease.
The news of his hospitalization went viral, causing many to fret that the disease may find its way to the U.S. However CDC officials have assured the public that they were doing all they can to stop the virus from spreading.
According to reports, about 80 people had primary and secondary contact with Duncan. They have all been traced and quarantined for 21 days - the prescribed length for isolation in cases of suspected Ebola infection.
"The doctors, nurses and staff at Presbyterian provided excellent and compassionate care, but Ebola is a disease that attacks the body in many ways." David Lakey, the commissioner of the Texas department of state health services said. He went on to assure the public that Duncan's passing doesn't mean that Ebola cannot be stopped.
"We'll continue every effort to contain the spread of the virus and protect people from this threat," Lakey said.
Reports indicate that Duncan was being treated with Brincidofovir; an experimental Ebola antiviral drug. As is the modus operandi of Ebola, the virus has reportedly attacked Duncan's vital organs, weakening his body's ability to resist. Doctors later placed Duncan on dialysis and he was reportedly breathing via a respirator before being pronounced dead.
Ebola can be transmitted through bodily fluids and even in death the virus is still alive in Duncan's corpse. His family and CDC officials are yet to announce how he will be buried.
Thomas Eric Duncan is the first patient to have died from the disease on U.S. soil. In Africa, more than 3,000 people have died from the virus since an outbreak was reported earlier in the year.
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