Thomas Eric Duncan | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 30, 1972 |
| Died | October 8, 2014 (aged 41) |
| Cause of death | Ebola virus disease |
| Nationality | Liberian |
| Occupation | Personal driver |
| Known for | First diagnosis of Ebola virus disease in North America |
| Children | Karsiah Eric Duncan |
Thomas Eric Duncan (December 30, 1972 – October 8, 2014) was a Liberian citizen who became the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States on September 30, 2014. Duncan, who had been visiting family in Dallas, was treated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.[1][2] By October 4, his condition had deteriorated from "serious but stable" to "critical".[3] On October 8, he died of Ebola.[4] Two health care workers became infected with Ebola virus, 26-year-old nurse Nina Pham and 29-year-old nurse Amber Vinson, both of whom had taken care of him at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital (THPH).
The family eventually threatened to sue the hospital based on the claim that Duncan had not received proper and timely care. The family was thus able to receive compensation from THPH. On November 10, 2014, Duncan's family reached a "resolution" with THPH that included the hospital covering the expenses related to Duncan's intensive and onerous treatment, as well as an undisclosed amount cash payment to the family.[5]