First case of Ebola confirmed in the United States
The first case of the deadly Ebola virus has been confirmed in the United States, said health officials.
The patient was diagnosed in Texas after he flew home from Liberia. He arrived in Texas but did not show any symptoms until two days later when he was admitted to a Dallas hospital.
Ebola symptoms typically appear between two and 21 days after infection.
There he was placed in an isolation room.
Tom Frieden, the director of the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said earlier today (Oct 1) that the patient had contact with a handful of people, who are mostly family members. They may have been exposed to the patient after he fell ill, said Frieden.
CDC: He was no threat to other airline passengers
He also added that there was likely no threat to any passenger who had travelled with the patient. It is believed that the patient is not an American citizen.
Frieden also warned of more infections: "It is certainly possible someone who had contact with this individual could develop Ebola in the coming weeks."
But he expressed confidence that US hospitals are well-equipped with the skills to handle Ebola patients: "I have no doubt we will stop this in its tracks in the United States."
"I have no doubt we will stop this in its tracks in the United States." - Tom Frieden, the director of the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
He also assured the public the virus should not pose the same threat in the United States as it does in Africa.
Source: Reuters
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