Ebola Virus in USA: Dallas Patient Dead; Remains to be Returned to Family

The first individual diagnosed with Ebola in the United States has died on Wednesday after battling the fatal disease since last month, Reuters reported.

"Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan died in an isolation ward of a Dallas hospital, 11 days after being admitted on Sept. 28," the news source said. "The case has stirred attention and concern that someone with Ebola had been able to fly into the United States from Liberia, raising the specter more passengers could arrive and spread the disease outside of West Africa, where nearly 4,000 people have died in three impoverished countries."

In the wake of his diagnosis, the U.S. government has called for extra screenings for the feared disease for those arriving from West Africa.

"The screening will start at New York's John F. Kennedy airport from the weekend, and later be used at Newark Liberty, Washington Dulles, Chicago O'Hare and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta," Reuters noted.

Duncan's passing has prompted "heightened sense of anxiety" about the possible spread of the fever in the country, according to The Guardian. This is especially after it was reported that a law enforcement officer had been to a hospital after spending some time in the deceased victim's apartment and consequently falling ill.

"He was transported by ambulance to the hospital after going to an urgent care facility with 'some' Ebola-like symptoms, which can also be symptoms of other illnesses," the British publication said. "The ambulance crew who helped the sheriff into the vehicle wore protective suits and carried out decontamination procedures."

The man in question was delivered to Dallas' Texas Health Presbyterian hospital hours after Duncan died.

One Dallas official reportedly told Mashable that the patient is not one of the 48 persons included in the Ebola contact tracing.

Frisco mayor Maher Maso said that the risk of an Ebola outbreak is "minimal." He also said that authorities are conducting their operations "with an abundance of caution."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the 42-year-old Duncan's remains will be cremated, in accordance to federal guidelines, USA Today reported.

"The remains have been transported for cremation. No additional detail about timing or location will be given at this time," Texas Department of State Health Services press officer Christine Mann said in an e-mail.

"Under standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an Ebola victim's body is quickly wrapped in a plastic shroud, then sealed in two leak-proof bags that are disinfected. Personnel must wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles," the news source explained. "To prevent the spread of the virus, which is most prevalent at death, no autopsy was performed."

The deceased man's family was able to view the body, although traditional West African funeral rituals had to be withheld as it involved "family members handling the corpse." Duncan's family had agreed to the cremation.

"Cremation kills the virus, so Duncan's ashes can be returned to the family, who will not have to wear any protection," USA Today added.