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The Ebola virus in Dallas, Texas represents the first ever case of Ebola virus to be diagnosed in the United States. The case is a man from Liberia who arrived in Dallas from Liberia after a stopover in Belgium.
Health officials at the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control have called the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak the worst in history.
On October 1, 2014, health officials in Texas announced that a second person was under observation for possible Ebola virus. This person had close contact with the confirmed case, according to the health officials.
Epidemiology
According to an announcement by the CDC on September 30, 2014, the man left Liberia on September 19 and arrived in Dallas on September 20. On September 24, and he developed symptoms, and sought medical care on September 26. He was admitted to hospital on September 28. On September 30, the CDC confirmed that he was infected with Ebola virus.
On October 1, 2014, Texas Governor Rick Perry announced at a news conference that the Liberian man had contact with up to 18 people in Dallas, including several school children.
The man is currently being treated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.
Signs and symptoms
Ebola virus affects multiple organ systems in humans. Symptoms might not appear for between 2 to 21 days after the person contracts the virus. Symptoms include fever, muscle weakness, headache, muscle pain, and sore throat.
Transmission
A person infected with Ebola virus is not contagious unless they are showing symptoms. Ebola virus can be spread through direct contact with an infected person's blood and/or bodily fluids such as semen, urine, feces, and breast milk. Ebola virus is not airborne, but it can be contracted from droplet transmission.
References
- http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/s930-ebola-confirmed-case.htm
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2776747/Did-US-Ebola-victim-change-flights-Heathrow-Patient-flew-Liberia-Brussels-route-Dallas-taken-London.html
- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/01/texas-ebola-patient/16525649/
- http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ebola-virus-outbreak/texas-ebola-patient-had-contact-school-age-kids-perry-says-n215976
- http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/01/health/ebola-us/index.html