Son of US Ebola Patient Thomas Eric Duncan Tried to Visit Father Before His Death, Says 'I Felt God Was Calling Me to Come See My Dad'
The 19-year-old son of deceased Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan traveled to Texas Tuesday to be by his father's side because he felt called by God to visit his sick dad.
At a Tuesday press conference at Dallas' Wilshire Baptist Church, Karsiah Duncan told the media "I just came down here because I felt God was calling me to come see my dad even though I got school still going on."
Karsiah left college and traveled to Dallas to visit his father inside the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital where Duncan was being held in isolation since he was diagnosed with Ebola. However, he was unable to see him.
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Duncan was believed to have contracted the disease that causes hemorrhagic fever during a recent visit to Liberia. Ebola has killed more than 3,400 people in West Africa.
Duncan had no symptoms when he returned to the United States on Sept. 20 through the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Five days later he went to the emergency room at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, but was released. By the time he returned on Sept. 28, his condition had worsened.
On Sept. 30 Duncan was declared the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States and his home and fiancée, Louise Troh, are being quarantined for the 21 days it takes for Ebola symptoms to manifest.
Before his father succumbed to Ebola, Karsiah expressed, "I hope and keep praying that my family is OK and my dad makes it out safely."
He also encouraged his mother to "be strong even though it's hard being in a house for 21 days and not knowing what's going to happen after she gets out."
Duncan, 42, died Wednesday morning.
Texas Health Resources released this statement following his death: "It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan at 7:51 a.m. Mr. Duncan succumbed to an insidious disease, Ebola. He fought courageously in this battle. Our professionals, the doctors and nurses in the unit, as well as the entire Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas community, are also grieving his passing. We have offered the family our support and condolences at this difficult time."
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins address the Duncan family saying, "My thoughts are with the family and friends of Thomas Eric Duncan at this time, especially his fiancée Louise, their son, Karsiah, and all those who loved him."
Jenkins added, "We offer prayers of comfort and peace to everyone impacted by his passing."
