'80 had contact' with US Ebola man

By: Prince Gc Godson on 10/02/2014

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As many as 80 people had direct or indirect contact with a man diagnosed in Texas with Ebola virus, officials have told US media.

About 12-18 people were potentially exposed to the virus through Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan.

The larger number includes people who may not have had contact with him personally, NBC and CBS report.

 Four of his family members have been ordered to stay home and not receive visitors until 19 October. In a statement, Texas health officials said a "strict public health control order is needed to ensure compliance".

"This order gives us the ability to monitor the situation in the most meticulous way," Dr David Lakey, Texas health commissioner, said. Mr Duncan is thought to have contracted the virus in Liberia.

The Liberian national came to the US nearly two weeks ago to visit relatives and he is the first man to be diagnosed with Ebola while in the US. Mr Duncan is now in a serious condition, a spokeswoman for the hospital said.