Medical News
Ebola claims first victim in U.S.: Thomas Eric Duncan dies in Dallas
The first U.S. case of Ebola has ended in death, health officials said. In a statement, Texas Health Presbyterian in Dallas confirmed that Thomas Eric Duncan died on October 8.
Duncan had been hospitalized since September 28 and was undergoing an experimental treatment at the time of his death. Here is the statement in full from Texas Health Presbyterian.
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 left Liberia on September 19 and arrived in the United States on September 20 to visit relatives. He fell ill on September 24 and sought medical care at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on September 26. After developing symptoms consistent with Ebola, he was admitted to the hospital on September 28.
His condition had been downgraded to critical on October 4, and he began receiving brincidofovir, an experimental antiviral drug that had gained emergency approval from the FDA.
According to WFAA, it is uncertain whether Duncan will undergo an autopsy or where his body will go next.