Fear of Ebola spreading as victim dies in Texas
A LIBERIAN man diagnosed with Ebola in the US died in a Texas hospital yesterday, his case having put health authorities on alert for the deadly virus spreading outside of West Africa.
About 48 people who had contact with the man since he arrived in the US from Liberia on September 20 are being monitored.
Victim Thomas Eric Duncan’s case has led to expanded efforts by US authorities to combat the spread of Ebola and raised questions about the effectiveness of screening and hospital preparedness.
Duncan became ill after arriving in Dallas to visit family.
He went to the Dallas hospital on September 25, but was initially sent home with antibiotics.
He was diagnosed with Ebo- la three days later. While several American patients have been flown to the US from West Africa for treatment, Duncan was the first person to start showing symptoms on US soil.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has appealed to other governments to do more to help contain the spread of Ebola, urged countries not to shut their borders and told airlines to keep flying to West Africa.
“More countries can and must step up,” Kerry said.
Meanwhile, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni yesterday called on people to stop shaking hands as the country works to contain the Ebolalike Marburg virus, which has already killed one person. – Reuters