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Ebola crisis: How did the virus get into the US? Ebola crisis: How did the virus get into the US?
(3 days later)
A Liberian man was the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus on US soil. How did he arrive undetected and what are the risks to Americans? A Liberian man was the first person to be diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus on US soil, since when a Texan health worker who treated him has also tested positive.
The outbreak gripping West Africa is the world's worst, killing more than 3,000 people so far. The outbreak gripping West Africa is the world's worst, killing more than 4,000 people so far.
There have been more than 7,000 confirmed cases, with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea suffering the most. There have been more than 8,000 confirmed and suspected cases, with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea suffering the most.
Thomas Eric Duncan was the first case diagnosed in the US, and when he passed away on 8 October, he became the first to die in the country.Thomas Eric Duncan was the first case diagnosed in the US, and when he passed away on 8 October, he became the first to die in the country.
Who was the US patient? How did he arrive undetected and what are the risks to Americans?
Duncan, a Liberian national, tested positive in Dallas, Texas, on 30 September, ten days after he arrived in the US to visit his former girlfriend and their 19-year-old son, a university student and American footballer. Who are the first US patients?
Duncan, a Liberian national, tested positive in Dallas, Texas, on 30 September, 10 days after he arrived in the US to visit his former girlfriend and their 19-year-old son.
He worked as a driver for a courier service and lived in the Paynesville 72nd Community suburb of Monrovia.He worked as a driver for a courier service and lived in the Paynesville 72nd Community suburb of Monrovia.
Despite aggressive treatment in hospital, including an experimental drug, he succumbed to the virus on 8 October.Despite aggressive treatment in hospital, including an experimental drug, he succumbed to the virus on 8 October.
Is he the first person in the US to have Ebola? US officials announced on 12 October that a female health worker who had treated Duncan before he died was also infected, according to a preliminary test.
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 Duncan was the first diagnosed within the US. The unnamed woman became infected during Duncan's second visit to hospital, when he was diagnosed with Ebola, and wore full protective gear while providing treatment, a health official said.
Are these the first people 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 Duncan and the health worker were 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.
Another American to contract Ebola, NBC cameraman Ashoka Mukpo, was transported from Liberia and is being treated at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.Another American to contract Ebola, NBC cameraman Ashoka Mukpo, was transported from Liberia and is being treated at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Do we know how Duncan was infected?Do we know how Duncan was infected?
It is believed he came into contact with Marthalene Williams, a young Ebola-infected 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, a young Ebola-infected woman in Liberia on 15 September, according to a report by the New York Times.
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.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's 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?
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, then on to Washington Dulles and finally Dallas-Fort Worth.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, then on to Washington Dulles and finally Dallas-Fort Worth.
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. Binyah Kesselly, chairman of the board of the Liberia Airport Authority, said it would be "nearly impossible" to identify a person infected with the Ebola virus if the person were not showing symptoms.
Isolating affected countries is a move opposed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because, they say, it could make the epidemic worse by disrupting the flow of aid.Isolating affected countries is a move opposed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because, they say, it could make the epidemic worse by disrupting the flow of aid.
Are the passengers on his flight in danger? Are the passengers on Duncan's flight in danger?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not plan to monitor passengers on Duncan's flights.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not plan to monitor passengers on 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, and no new patients have been diagnosed with it since Duncan. Dr Tom Frieden, head of the CDC, said there had been a clear breach of safety protocol during Duncan's treatment and other cases could follow.
They say it's not comparable to conditions in Africa because basic sanitation levels are so different. He said that 48 people who may have had contact with Duncan were being monitored for symptoms as an investigation was conducted into how the new infection could have occurred.
"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." Five children are believed to be among those with whom he had contact outside hospital, mostly at his home.
But they are closely monitoring all those who may have come into contact with Duncan while he was infectious. However, health officials have expressed confidence they can contain the virus because basic sanitation levels are so different between America and Africa.
The hour after America knewThe hour after America knew
Should he have been diagnosed earlier? Should Duncan have been diagnosed earlier?
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.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 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 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".
Duncan was given antibiotics and a pain reliever and sent home, where his condition worsened, says his sister.Duncan was given antibiotics and a pain reliever and sent home, where his condition worsened, says his sister.
On 28 September, a friend of 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 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?
There was a four-day period between Duncan developing symptoms and being put in isolation in hospital.
Officials are identifying and monitoring people with whom he came into contact. If they show no symptoms after 21 days, they are considered to be uninfected.
About 10 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, Duncan came into contact with five children from four different schools.
Mr Frieden said it was possible a family member who came in direct contact with the patient would develop Ebola in the coming weeks.