Ebola patient in Dallas, Thomas Duncan, dies

Thomas Duncan of Monrovia, Liberia was pronounced dead Wednesday after a week long battle with Ebola.

Duncan was undergoing treatment at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas for Ebola he contracted prior to coming to the United States.

Thomas Duncan Ebola Patient Dies

“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 am. 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,” Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital officials share in a statement to press.

As news of the death of Duncan begin to emerge, many questions are being asked about health care and if anything could have been done to prevent Duncan’s death.

Days after being diagnosed with Ebola, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital decided to give Duncan an experimental antiviral drug.

However, the drug did little to help his health and he was medically debated on Tuesday.

How the Ebola patient contracted the virus

Duncan came to the U.S. after visiting Liberia when the virus became a pandemic in the African country.

He was exposed to the virus while helping a pregnant woman who had the virus.

Duncan lied before boarding a plane when asked if he was exposed to the virus.

How the patient was diagnosed

When he arrived in Dallas, Texas, he became ill and went to the hospital.

However, a nurse diagnosed him with cold-like symptons even after he told her he was recently in West Africa.

Duncan returned home to his fiancé and family and his condition began to worsen. A family member eventually called the CDC and Duncan was eventually treated.

His family has since been quarantined and are being monitored by health officials.

Officials also state that everyone who has been in contact with Duncan will be monitored.

Duncan’s body will have to be cremated or buried in a hermetically sealed casket so that the virus won’t spread.

Two U.S. doctors and one worker who visited West Africa, were all treated.