EBOLA: U.S. records first death-Aniexty Heightens over its spread

 

The first person-Thomas Eric Duncan-42, who was diagnosed with Ebola in the United States died early yes­terday, officials with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospi­tal announced.

"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," a spokesman for Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas said in a statement.

"Our thoughts today are with his family," said US President Barack Obama, who said his death showed "we don't have a lot of margin for error. If we don't follow protocols and procedures that are put in place, then we're putting folks in our communities at risk". 

There's heightened sense of anxiety over the spread of Ebola in the US as a law

enforcement official was admitted to hospital after having been in the apartment where Duncan stayed and interacted with some of the people who live there, all of whom are under quarantine and not exhibiting symptoms.  The Sheriff Deputy was transported by ambulance to the hospital after going to an urgent care facility with “some” Ebola-like symptoms, which can also be symptoms of other illnesses. The ambulance crew who helped the sheriff into the vehicle wore protective suits and carried out decontamination procedures. 

“The risk is minimal,” Maher Maso, the mayor of Frisco, a northern Dallas suburb, said at a hastily-called press conference about the law enforcement official. He added that authorities are moving forward “with an abundance of caution”. 

via: The Guardian, BBC News