Ebola In The US: Dallas Ebola Patient Thomas Eric Duncan Has Died From Disease

Dallas Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person in the U.S. to become sick with the virus, died Wednesday, according to a statement from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, where he was being treated. The hospital said Duncan died around 7:51 a.m.

Duncan was hospitalized in late September after testing positive for the virus. He had traveled to the U.S. from Liberia to marry his girlfriend and began showing symptoms of Ebola a few days after his arrival in Texas. “It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan,” the statement read. “He fought courageously in this battle.”

Duncan had received an experimental drug made by North Carolina-based biopharmaceutical company Chimerix Inc. The medication is called brincidofovir.

"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," Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said.

According to public health officials, none of the 48 Dallas residents being monitored for Ebola because of their contact with Duncan have shown signs of the disease.