Liberian man who took Ebola to US dies in Dallas hospital

The first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the United States, Liberian, Thomas Eric Duncan has died in a Dallas hospital. He had contracted the virus in Liberia and travelled to the US where he fell ill and was diagnosed of the dreaded virus.

A statement by the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital reads: “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.”

His girlfriend, Louise Troh, also said: “His suffering is over. My family is in deep sadness and grief, but we leave him in the hands of God. Our deepest sympathies go out to his father and family in Liberia and here in America. Eric was a wonderful man who showed compassion toward all.”

Duncan’s liver and kidneys had failed due to the virus but it was gathered that his liver function had been improving while he was on a ventilator receiving kidney dialysis.

He had also been receiving the experimental drug brincidofovir, although there are claims that he was given the drug almost a week after he was diagnosed whereas other patients treated in the U.S. were immediately given experimental treatments on arrival. This has prompted some members of the deceased family to accuse authorities of bias.

According to Time.com, the 33-year-old's "journey to the hospital bed began when he helped the pregnant daughter of a neighbour in the housing complex where he lived in Liberia, to the hospital. The expectant mother was convulsing and sick with symptoms that are the hallmark of Ebola. When the hospital, which was already full of patients, turned them away, Duncan and the woman’s relatives rode in a taxi back to their home, Duncan sitting in the front. All helped to carry the woman back to her room, where she died. Four days after helping his neighbour, Duncan boarded a flight to Brussels, where boarded another flight to Washington, D.C., and eventually to Dallas. All who were in the car that day, including Duncan, have now died as well"