AKIPRESS.COM - Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola inside the United States, has died, Texas hospital officials have said, reports Irish Sun.

Duncan, 42, who caught the virus in his native Liberia, was being kept in isolation in a Dallas hospital and receiving experimental drugs.

"It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning at 7:51 a.m.," Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital said on Facebook.

Duncan's liver function had been improving, and he was receiving the experimental drug brincidofovir. He was on a ventilator receiving kidney dialysis. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings acknowledged Duncan's passing at the City Council meeting Wednesday.

"This hurts deeply," Rawlings said. "We were hoping this was not going to happen." Duncan's family, some of whom remain under quarantine at a Dallas-area house, weren't ready to talk about the loss Wednesday.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and a family pastor went to the house to tell Louise Troh, whom Duncan planned to marry, that he had died.

Troh later issued a written statement. "This morning we received word that Eric passed away," she said. "His suffering is over. My family is in deep sadness and grief, but we leave him in the hands of God."

Troh called for a closer look into the care received by Duncan, who was sent home on his first visit to the hospital. "I trust a thorough examination will take place regarding all aspects of his care," she said. "I am now dealing with the sorrow and anger that his son was not able to see him before he died."

Duncan flew to Dallas on Sept. 20 from Liberia.