Dallas Ebola Patient Dies From Disease
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DALLAS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - According to health officials, Dallas Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan died Wednesday morning at 7:51 am.
Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where Duncan was being treated, released the following 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. We have offered the family our support and condolences at this difficult time."
Duncan left his home country of Liberia on September 19, 2014 and arrived in the United States on September 20th with no virus symptoms.
He initially went to the hospital after 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, but presented no flu or other contagious virus symptoms and was given antibiotics and released.
Duncan's condition deteriorated and by Sunday, September 28 was so bad that he was transported back to the hospital by ambulance.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control confirmed that Duncan was infected with the Ebola virus on October 1st.
Duncan had been in isolation at Presbyterian Hospital for more than 10 days. Medical officials stated that he was on a ventilator, receiving kidney dialysis, and had been receiving an experimental Ebola treatment "brincidofovir" since Saturday October 4th.
Complete Coverage Of Ebola In Dallas
Duncan's son Kasiah came to visit his father at the hospital on Tuesday in hopes of seeing him, but that did not happen."I came down here because I feel like God was calling me to come see my dad," he said.
The college freshman also had some advice for his mother, who remains in isolation and under observation for at least 12 more days. "Be strong. It is hard being in the house for 21 days," he said, "not knowing what was going to happen after she gets out and stuff. I hope you all keep praying my family's okay."
[tweet https://twitter.com/JLindgrenCBS11/status/519872713217699840]
Duncan's fiance Louise Troh, who remains under a quarantine order, thanked the Dallas community, the Liberian community and local officials in a release saying "Eric was a wonderful man who showed compassion to all."
"I trust a thorough examination will take place regarding all aspects of his care" Troh's statement said. "I am now dealing with the sorrow and anger that his son was not able to see him before he died. This will take some time, but in the end, I believe in a merciful God."
Health officials said they are closely monitoring but have seen no indication that the virus has spread among the 10, or 38 other people identified in the Dallas Ebola contact group.
Leaders of the Liberian community in Dallas are on their way to be with Duncan's family. They will still hold a prayer vigil for the family tonight at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas.
"We are deeply saddened to learn that Mr. Thomas Duncan has passed away" said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on learning of the death of Duncan. "We appreciate the dedicated service of the emergency and medical personnel who worked diligently to care for him. On behalf of the city of Dallas, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Duncan. I remain confident in the abilities of our health care professionals and the medical advances here in the U.S. and reassure you we will stop the Ebola virus in its tracks from spreading into our community. I want to reinforce to the public, that this was an isolated incident of the Ebola virus; contracted by the individual while residing in another country. This is sad news for all involved. We will continue to work in partnership with Dallas County to do everything possible to protect our public health and all of the City of Dallas."
State and city officials continue reiterating that Ebola isn't easily contracted. The virus isn't airborne and isn't as highly contagious as influenza, a cold or measles. A person must come in direct contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is infectious. Those fluids would include blood, vomit, urine, semen or saliva.
*This is a developing story. Listen to 1080 KRLD and follow CBSDFW.COM for the latest updates - refresh this page for the latest details.
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