“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 am.”
The news came shortly after US Secretary of State John Kerry urged all nations to boost their response to combat the virus.
Duncan, who worked as a driver for a courier company, tested positive in Dallas, Texas, on 30 September, 10 days after arriving on a flight from Monrovia via Brussels. He became ill a few days after arriving in the US but after going to hospital and telling them he had been to Liberia he was sent home with antibiotics. Four days later, he was placed in isolation but his condition continued to worsen and this week he was given an experimental drug.
Ten people he came into contact with are currently being monitored for symptoms.