AMERICA'S FIRST EBOLA PATIENT DIES.

Dallas Ebola patient dies: Thomas Eric Duncan becomes America's first epidemic victim as he succumbs to virus he brought to US from Liberia just 18 days ago  

Thomas Eric Duncan died at 7.51am on Wednesday at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas   

Hospital announced 'with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment' that Duncan died after 'fighting courageously against the insidious disease'Duncan exposed 48 people to the disease before he was hospitalized, including his fiancée and two of her childrenDoctors began giving Duncan an experimental antiviral drug on MondayHis body still carries the disease and must now be disposed of CDC rules call for his remains to be wrapped in a plastic shroud and zipped up in two leak-proof bags then either cremated or buried in a hermetically-sealed casket

The man who brought Ebola to the United States from West Africa 18 days ago has died this morning in a Dallas hospital.

Thomas Eric Duncan, whose health took a grave turn for the worse this weekend, succumbed to the virus at 7.51am at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, officials announced late this morning.

The 42-year-old Liberian national exposed nearly 50 people to the disease in America, including his fiancée Louise Troh and two of her children. They remain quarantined and under constant monitoring by health officials over fears that they, too, could develop symptoms during a 21-day incubation period. 

His body, which still carries the virus, must now be disposed of in a way that will not put anyone else at risk.

Ms Troh released a statement saying: 'His suffering is over. My family is in deep sadness and grief, but we leave him in the hands of God... Eric was a wonderful man who showed compassion toward all.' 

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Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital initially sent Duncan home when he showed up in the emergency room. He returned three days later with full-blown symptoms of the 

Coming to America: Duncan, seen here with a female relative shortly after landing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, traveled to the US to marry his longtime love Louise Troh

'Love of his life': Thomas Eric Duncan (right) apologized to his fiancée Louise Troh (left) when he was diagnosed with Ebola, a family friend says 

First Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States, has died

She also hinted that she was not fully satisfied with his care. When he first went to Texas Presbyterian, he was sent home with a prescription for antibiotics. 

'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,' she said.

Duncan landed in Dallas on September 20 after traveling from his home in Monrovia, Liberia. He is accused of lying to airport screeners about his contact with Ebola patients, though his family and friends say he had no idea he had been infected.

He came to America in the hopes of marrying Ms Troh after rekindling his relationship with her after more than a decade apart. He was also hoping to be spend time with his 19-year-old son Karsiah, a college student in Texas - though the two were not reunited before his death.

Duncan developed symptoms of the disease on September 24. He went to the hospital the next day - only to be given antibiotics and sent home by doctors. For three more days, he suffered with Ebola in Ms Troh's Dallas apartment, potentially exposing her and her family to the disease.

On September 28, four days later after he became contagious, he was rushed back to Texas Presbyterian and admitted.  

On Monday doctors began administering an experimental antiviral drug to Duncan in the hopes that it could save his life, but he showed few signs of improvement.

His family said on Tuesday that he was medically sedated and unresponsive when they tried to visit him at the hospital.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital issued a statement that read: 'It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning at 7.51am. Mr. Duncan succumbed to an insidious disease, Ebola.