First Case of Ebola Diagnosed in US

The world's Ebola outbreak has officially reached the US. The CDC today confirmed the first diagnosis in the nation, reports NBC Fort Worth-Dallas. The patient, who is in isolation at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, had recently traveled to Liberia in West Africa and developed symptoms about five days after returning to the US, say health officials. The hospital actually isolated the patient before today's official diagnosis, based on symptoms and travel history, reports WFAA. Authorities have not yet released any details about the patient.

"I have no doubt that we will control this case of Ebola so that it does not spread widely in this country," said CDC chief Thomas Frieden at a news conference. He added that some people who came in close contact with the patient, such as family members, could develop the disease. A handful of US hospitals have treated Ebola patients recently, but all were patients deliberately flown here from Africa for treatment. Almost immediately after the US diagnosis became official, shares in drug companies working on Ebola treatments surged, reports CNBC. (More Ebola stories.)