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Ebola crisis: How did the virus get into the US? Ebola crisis: How did the virus get into the US?
(about 14 hours later)
A Liberian man is the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus on US soil. So how did he arrive undetected and what are the risks to Americans?A Liberian man is the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus on US soil. So how did he arrive undetected and what are the risks to Americans?
The outbreak gripping West Africa is the world's worst, killing 3,338 people so far.The outbreak gripping West Africa is the world's worst, killing 3,338 people so far.
There have been 7,178 confirmed cases, with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea suffering the most.There have been 7,178 confirmed cases, with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea suffering the most.
This case in the US is thought to be the first outside West Africa involving this strain of Ebola.This case in the US is thought to be the first outside West Africa involving this strain of Ebola.
Who is the new patient in the US?Who is the new patient in the US?
Only one person has been diagnosed with the virus while in the US.Only one person has been diagnosed with the virus while in the US.
Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian national, tested positive in Dallas, Texas, on 30 September.Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian national, tested positive in Dallas, Texas, on 30 September.
He arrived in the US to visit relatives on 20 September and is now in a serious condition in an isolation unit at a hospital in Dallas.He arrived in the US to visit relatives on 20 September and is now in a serious condition in an isolation unit at a hospital in Dallas.
Is he the first person in the US to have Ebola?Is he the first person in the US to have Ebola?
No, a small number of American aid workers who contracted the virus while abroad have recovered after flying back to the US for treatment. But Mr Duncan is the first diagnosed within the US.No, a small number of American aid workers who contracted the virus while abroad have recovered after flying back to the US for treatment. But Mr Duncan is the first diagnosed within the US.
Three of the aid workers were colleagues at the same hospital in Liberia. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol were flown back to Atlanta for treatment, while Rick Sacra, a family doctor from Massachusetts, recovered in Nebraska.Three of the aid workers were colleagues at the same hospital in Liberia. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol were flown back to Atlanta for treatment, while Rick Sacra, a family doctor from Massachusetts, recovered in Nebraska.
Ms Writebol said resources at the hospital where they worked were insufficient to protect workers.Ms Writebol said resources at the hospital where they worked were insufficient to protect workers.
Do we know how Mr Duncan was infected?Do we know how Mr Duncan was infected?
It is believed he came into contact with an Ebola infectious woman in Liberia on 15 September, according to a report by the New York Times. It is believed he came into contact with Marthalene Williams, an Ebola infected woman in Liberia on 15 September, according to a report by the New York Times.
Mr Duncan is said to have helped take her to hospital, but she was later turned away due to lack of space in the Ebola treatment ward. He helped to carry her home, where she died hours later.Mr Duncan is said to have helped take her to hospital, but she was later turned away due to lack of space in the Ebola treatment ward. He helped to carry her home, where she died hours later.
Williams' brother, Sonny Boy, also later displayed symptoms of Ebola and died en route to a local hospital. Williams's brother, Sonny Boy, also later displayed symptoms of Ebola and died en route to a local hospital.
How did an infected person come into the US undetected?How did an infected person come into the US undetected?
Mr Duncan was screened for Ebola symptoms at Roberts International Airport, located near the Liberian capital of Monrovia.Mr Duncan was screened for Ebola symptoms at Roberts International Airport, located near the Liberian capital of Monrovia.
He displayed no signs of the virus and was allowed to board an SN Brussels Airlines flight to Brussels, Belgium.He displayed no signs of the virus and was allowed to board an SN Brussels Airlines flight to Brussels, Belgium.
From there, he flew to Washington Dulles and then on to Dallas-Fort Worth, arriving on 20 September.From there, he flew to Washington Dulles and then on to Dallas-Fort Worth, arriving on 20 September.
Binyah Kesselly, chairman of the board of the Liberia Airport Authority, said they had screened 10,000 passengers since July, but it would be "nearly impossible" to identify a person as infected with the Ebola virus if they were not showing symptoms. Binyah Kesselly, chairman of the board of the Liberia Airport Authority, said they had screened 10,000 passengers since July, but it would be "nearly impossible" to identify a person infected with the Ebola virus if the person were not showing symptoms.
Are the passengers on his flight in danger?Are the passengers on his flight in danger?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not plan to monitor passengers on Mr Duncan's flights.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not plan to monitor passengers on Mr Duncan's flights.
According to CDC Director Thomas Frieden, Mr Duncan was not considered infectious at that time and posed "zero risk of transmission" to those on the aircraft.According to CDC Director Thomas Frieden, Mr Duncan was not considered infectious at that time and posed "zero risk of transmission" to those on the aircraft.
How dangerous is Ebola anyway?How dangerous is Ebola anyway?
Ebola virus: Busting the mythsEbola virus: Busting the myths
Could it now spread in the US?Could it now spread in the US?
Health officials have expressed confidence they can contain the virus.Health officials have expressed confidence they can contain the virus.
They say it's not comparable to conditions in Africa because basic sanitation levels are so different.They say it's not comparable to conditions in Africa because basic sanitation levels are so different.
"The bottom line here is I have no doubt that we will control this importation, this case of Ebola, so it does not spread widely in this country," said Mr Frieden. "We will stop it here.""The bottom line here is I have no doubt that we will control this importation, this case of Ebola, so it does not spread widely in this country," said Mr Frieden. "We will stop it here."
But they are closely monitoring all those who may have come into contact with Mr Duncan while he was infectious.But they are closely monitoring all those who may have come into contact with Mr Duncan while he was infectious.
The hour after America knewThe hour after America knew
Should he have been diagnosed earlier?Should he have been diagnosed earlier?
Mr Duncan sought medical attention at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on 25 September, where hospital officials said he displayed a low grade fever and abdominal pain. Basic blood tests were performed, but he was not screened for the Ebola virus.Mr Duncan sought medical attention at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on 25 September, where hospital officials said he displayed a low grade fever and abdominal pain. Basic blood tests were performed, but he was not screened for the Ebola virus.
A nurse asked Mr Duncan if he had travelled from Africa, and he said he had, but that detail was not fully communicated to the medical staff, an oversight the hospital now says it "regrets".A nurse asked Mr Duncan if he had travelled from Africa, and he said he had, but that detail was not fully communicated to the medical staff, an oversight the hospital now says it "regrets".
Mr Duncan was given antibiotics and a pain reliever and sent home, where his condition worsened, says his sister.Mr Duncan was given antibiotics and a pain reliever and sent home, where his condition worsened, says his sister.
On 28 September, a friend of Mr Duncan's contacted the CDC for advice, and was instructed to call the Texas Department of Health, who sent an ambulance.On 28 September, a friend of Mr Duncan's contacted the CDC for advice, and was instructed to call the Texas Department of Health, who sent an ambulance.
Are people he has been in contact with at risk?Are people he has been in contact with at risk?
There was a four-day period between Mr Duncan developing symptoms and being put in isolation in hospital.There was a four-day period between Mr Duncan developing symptoms and being put in isolation in hospital.
So officials are identifying and monitoring all the people he came into contact with. If they show no symptoms after 21 days, they are considered to be uninfected.So officials are identifying and monitoring all the people he came into contact with. If they show no symptoms after 21 days, they are considered to be uninfected.
Up to 20 people, including five children, are being monitored after coming into contact with him, mostly at the house where he stayed.Up to 20 people, including five children, are being monitored after coming into contact with him, mostly at the house where he stayed.
According to a statement from the local school district in Dallas, Mr Duncan came into contact with five children from four different schools.According to a statement from the local school district in Dallas, Mr Duncan came into contact with five children from four different schools.
Mr Frieden said it is possible a family member who came in direct contact with the patient may develop Ebola in the coming weeks.Mr Frieden said it is possible a family member who came in direct contact with the patient may develop Ebola in the coming weeks.