Thomas Eric Duncan's Fever Was in Range for Ebola During His First Hospital Visit, AP Says

Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S., had a fever of 103 degrees during his first visit to Presbyterian Hospital, The Associated Press reports. The Centers for Disease Control lists a fever of greater than 101.5 degrees as one of the potential signs...

By Sky Chadde

October 10, 2014

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Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S., had a fever of 103 degrees during his first visit to Presbyterian Hospital, The Associated Press reports. The Centers for Disease Control lists a fever of greater than 101.5 degrees as one of the potential signs that someone has contracted the virus.

Despite his high fever, a physician noted that Duncan was "negative for fever and chills," according to the AP. Duncan also complained of abdominal pain, which is another potential sign of the virus. He was released from the hospital after his initial check-up.

After his health began to deteriorate, Duncan was hospitalized. He died Wednesday morning.

Presbyterian has issued a few versions of how its staff handled Duncan. First it said Duncan didn't share that he had traveled to Dallas from West Africa, the front lines of the fight against Ebola. Then it said a nurse knew but didn't share that information with doctors. Then it said that information was available to all hospital staff.

Send your story tips to the author, Sky Chadde.

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