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CDC Confirms First Ebola Case In The US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that a man traveling from Liberia to Dallas, Texas has been diagnosed with Ebola in the United States, according to NBC.

The man infected has been identified as Thomas Eric Duncan, according to CNN.

It is "certainly possible" the man has infected others that have been in contact with him, the CDC said yesterday during a nationwide press conference.

However, the CDC explicitly stated an individual cannot be infected with the Ebola virus unless the person with the virus is showing symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting.

The man on board the plane from Liberia to Dallas did not show symptoms until four days after his flight landed on Sept. 20. The CDC, therefore, believes no one on the plane has been infected.

While the CDC believes that no one on the plane was infected, Thomas has been in contact with at least five students in Dallas and are now being monitored.

"Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles said Wednesday that the students were in school this week after possibly being in contact with the man over the weekend," said the Associated Press.

According to the Associated Press, these five students are not showing any symptoms but are home being monitored.

As an added precaution, Miles says additional health and custodial staff will be at the five schools the students attend.

Dr. Thomas Frieden of the CDC said, "The bottom line here is that I have no doubt that we (local and federal authorities) will control this importation of Ebola so that it does not spread widely in this country."

"There is no doubt in my mind that we will stop it here," Frieden added.

NBC reported the patient was hospitalized on Sunday.

Michelle is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.