WIKIMEDIA, PLOS BIOLOGYThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. A critically ill man being treated in isolation in a Dallas, Texas hospital has tested positive for the virus. “An individual traveling from Liberia has been diagnosed with Ebola in the United States,” CDC Director Thomas Frieden told reporters during a press briefing today (September 30).
The patient left Liberia on September 19, arrived in the U.S. to visit family on September 20, and developed symptoms on September 26. On September 28, he was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, and was isolated. Health officials are now contacting anyone who may have come into contact with the patient while he was infectious, Frieden added.
“We will control this importation [case] of Ebola so that it does not spread,” Frieden said. “There is no doubt in my mind...
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to assist in any way that’s needed,” David Lakey of the Texas Department of State Health Services said during today’s press briefing.
Earlier this week, Dallas County Health Director Zachary Thompson assured local residents that they are not at risk of contracting the deadly virus that has to date killed more than 3,000 people as part of an ongoing outbreak in West Africa. “Unless you have exchanged bodily fluids with this individual this is a low risk for people in Dallas County,” he said. “We have a great infrastructure to deal with an outbreak,” Thompson added.
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