Ebola Patient Had 103-Degree Fever When Released From Hospital

ByRHEANA MURRAY ABCNews logo
Saturday, October 11, 2014

Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person in the U.S. to be diagnosed with Ebola who later died, already had a high temperature when he was released from the hospital during his initial visit, according to records.

Duncan's fever reached 103 degrees while he was at the hospital in Dallas, which was flagged with an exclamation point in the system, according to records obtained by the Associated Press.

The victim's family confirmed to ABC News that the AP had obtained a copy of Duncan's medical records.

They reveal that Duncan rated his pain so severe it was an eight on a scale of one to 10 and he had complained of abdominal pain, dizziness, a headache and decreased urination. Doctors at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital gave him CT scans to rule out appendicitis, stroke and other ailments, according to the records.

But Duncan was sent home with antibiotics and told to take Tylenol. He returned to the hospital two days later when his symptoms worsened. He died this past Wednesday.

Duncan, who hails from Liberia, had arrived in the U.S. on Sept 20. to visit family in Dallas.

His neighbors in Monrovia told ABC News that he had helped carry a vomiting pregnant woman to get help, but his records reveal that he told the hospital he hadn't been in contact with anyone who was sick, according to the AP.

The hospital was aware that Duncan had recently been in Africa.

The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed today that Duncan's remains have been cremated.

A family spokesperson said the ashes will be given to Duncan's son.

Four of Duncan's relatives are being monitored for the deadly disease and are in isolation. The family is waiting until after his girlfriend Louise Troh's incubation period ends to hold a funeral service. Troh, who is referred to as Duncan's wife by his family, currently has no symptoms of Ebola.

Get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To start, just "star" this story in ABC News' phone app. Download ABC News for iPhone here or ABC News for Android here. To be notified about our live weekend digital reports, tap here.

Related Topics