Spread of Ebola raises concerns for Americans

By Eva Schacht
Executive Online News Editor
A new health scare, unlike any other, has begun to plague the United States after Thomas Eric Duncan returned from Liberia after helping a pregnant woman with Ebola try to get to a hospital. During the process, Duncan had obtained the deadly virus and returned to the United States.
Duncan decided to go to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in hopes of being cured, but was later released only with antibiotics and no medical treatment. A few days later, Duncan was later readmitted to the same hospital for care because his condition had worsened.
Duncan has been the first American citizen diagnosed with Ebola, a rare African disease that is spread through bodily fluids like blood or saliva. However, it is not long until the patient experiences a deadly fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
During his time in the hospital, it is estimated that Duncan had come in contact with almost 18 people, including five children who have since been monitored and kept home from school.
The epidemic has created a scare for countries all across the world, as upwards of 4,000 people have already died from the virus.
U.S. health officials claimed that they are prepared to tackle the virus through keeping contact with all of the people that came into contact with Duncan.
However, Duncan has died this week from Ebola. He is now the only man to have died with Ebola in the United States. He leaves behind a wife and a nephew.

More ABC news videos | ABC Entertainment News
Video courtesy of ABC World News