U.S. Records First Case Of Ebola

The CDC just confirmed the first case of Ebola in the United States, according to Reuters. The patient was placed in "strict isolation" at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas earlier today.

A patient in a Dallas hospital has been confirmed to have the Ebola virus, News 8 has learned.


In a statement issued Tuesday night, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas said the patient was admitted based on symptoms and "recent travel history."
The hospital, located at Greenville Avenue and Walnut Hill Lane in northeast Dallas, said it's complying with all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Texas Department of Health to ensure the safety of other patients and medical staff.

A press conference to discuss the case is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

At least 3,091 people have died from Ebola since the West African outbreak was first identified in Guinea six months ago. Last week, the CDC warned that between 550,000 and 1.4 million people in West Africa could be infected with Ebola by January 2015.

News of the virus' appearance sent the share prices of key biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies skyrocketing in after-hours trading, in anticipation that large drug companies may benefit from creating a vaccine. BioCryst Pharma shot up 15 percent in after-market trading, while Tekmira soared by nearly 17 percent.

This story is developing...