1st Ebola Patient Thomas Eric Duncan Died

(AP) — The first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States died in a Dallas hospital Wednesday.  Thomas Eric Duncan, 42, was pronounced dead at 7:51 a.m. at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, where he was admitted Sept. 28 and had been kept in isolation, according to spokesman Wendell Watson.

We are deeply saddened to learn that Mr. Thomas Duncan has passed away. We appreciate the dedicated service of the emergency and medical personnel who worked diligently to care for him. On behalf of the city of Dallas, I extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Duncan. I remain confident in the abilities of our health care professionals and the medical advances here in the U.S. and reassure you we will stop the Ebola virus in its tracks from spreading into our community.

I want to reinforce to the public, that this was an isolated incident of the Ebola virus; contracted by the individual while residing in another country. This is sad news for all involved. We will continue to work in partnership with Dallas County, the State, and CDC to do everything possible to protect our public health and all of the City of Dallas. –Mayor Mike Rawlings

The Dallas Independent School District is saddened to learn of Mr. Thomas Duncan’s passing and we extend our sympathy to his family and loved ones. Today our thoughts are with our students who knew Mr. Duncan. The district will make available counseling services to students and staff most affected.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of Thomas Eric Duncan at this time, especially his fiancée Louise, their son Karsiah and all those who loved him. We are also thinking of the dedicated hospital staff who assisted Mr. Duncan daily while he fought this terrible disease.  We offer prayers of comfort and peace to everyone impacted by his passing.” – Judge Clay Jenkins