DALLAS — A patient diagnosed with Ebola in Dallas on September 30 has died, according to officials from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
His remains have been transported to be cremated, but where and when that will occur has not been released.
Thomas Eric Duncan, who was admitted to the hospital on September 28, was pronounced dead at 7:51 a.m. Wednesday, read a statement released from the hospital.
"He fought courageously in this battle," said Wendell Watson, a spokesman with Texas Health Presbyterian. "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."
Family members of Duncan remain under quarantine and haven't showed symptoms of the virus. They will remain under monitoring and isolation until October 19.
Louise Troh, Duncan's fiancée, thanked the Dallas and Liberian community and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Mayor Mike Rawlings late Tuesday morning for their support during his treatment.
"This morning we received word that Eric passed away," she said in a statement. "His suffering is over. My family is in deep sadness and grief, but we leave him in the hands of God."
Jenkins also released a statement addressing Duncan's death.
"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," said Dallas Count Judge Clay Jenkins in a written statement. "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."
- SEPT. 30: CDC: Ebola confirmed in Dallas patient
- OCT. 2: CDC looking into whether Ebola patient lied on health forms
- OCT. 3: Ebola patient's family moved to undisclosed location
- OCT. 4: Critics say Ebola case mishandled from the start
- OCT. 6: Ebola patient receiving experimental drug
- OCT. 7: Jesse Jackson in Dallas to address Ebola scare
- TIMELINE: Stories on Thomas Eric Duncan
- LINK: CDC's guidelines for safe handling of human remains of Ebola patients
Mayor Mike Rawlings was notified of Duncan's death while at a Dallas City Council meeting.
"We will stop the Ebola virus in its tracks in our community," he vowed later.
Duncan boarded a plane in Liberia on September 19 and arrived in Dallas the following day. He reported feeling ill on September 24 and sought care at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital the next day. Doctors released Duncan with a prescription for antibiotics on September 26 and he was readmitted to the hospital two days later.
MORE STATEMENTS FROM FAMILY/OFFICIALS:
Louise Troh's full statement:
This morning we received word that Eric passed away. His suffering is over. My family is in deep sadness and grief, but we leave him in the hands of God. Our deepest sympathies go out to his father and family in Liberia and here in America. Eric was a wonderful man who showed compassion toward all.
I want to thank the Dallas Community, the church and the Liberian community; and, in particular, County Judge Jenkins; Mayor Rawlings; my pastor, George Mason; Saymendy Lloyd; Stanley Gay; and Alben Bush for all the love and support they have shown me and my family during this ordeal. Without their help, I can't imagine how we could have endured.
I trust a thorough examination will take place regarding all aspects of his care. I am now dealing with the sorrow and anger that his son was not able to see him before he died. This will take some time, but in the end, I believe in a merciful God.
I hope that you will keep my family in your prayers. This has dramatically changed our lives, and we will be grieving for a long time. May Eric rest in peace.
Mayor Mike Rawlings:
"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 to do everything possible to protect our public health and all of the City of Dallas."
Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services:
"The past week has been an enormous test of our health system, but for one family it has been far more personal. Today they lost a dear member of their family. They have our sincere condolences, and we are keeping them in our thoughts. The doctors, nurses and staff at Presbyterian provided excellent and compassionate care, but Ebola is a disease that attacks the body in many ways. We'll continue every effort to contain the spread of the virus and protect people from this threat."
Congressman Michael C. Burgess:
"I am saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Duncan, the Texas Presbyterian patient in Dallas who had been fighting Ebola. This is a reminder of the dangerous and deadly nature of this disease. It also underscores why everyone involved in the Ebola response, both at home and abroad, must remain vigilant when it comes to rigorous infection control and exposure protocol."
TIMELINE:
- September 19: Thomas Eric Duncan boards a flight to the U.S. in Liberia after being screened for Ebola symptoms
- September 20: Duncan arrives in the United States
- September 24: Duncan shows first symptoms of Ebola
- September 25: Duncan seeks initial medical care, is sent home on the 26th
- September 28: Duncan admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
- October 2: Family court ordered to stay indoors at Ivy Apartments unit
- October 3: Crew hired by Dallas County to decontaminate apartment unit
- October 8: Duncan pronounced dead at 7:51 a.m.
WFAA's David Schechter contributed to this report
