Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian who brought Ebola to the United States mainland, died Wednesday morning in a Dallas hospital, ten days after he was rushed back to the hospital.

Duncan's health had turned for the worse this weekend, and succumbed to the virus at 7:51 a.m. at Texas Presbyterian Hospital.

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The hospital's announcement read:

"It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning at 7.51am. 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."

The 42-year-old Liberian national had arrived in Dallas on September 20 after travelling from his home in Monrovia, Liberia's capital. He is accused of lying to airport screeners when asked about his contact with Ebola patients, but family and friends say he had no idea he had been infected.

Duncan is said to have exposed nearly 50 people to the disease in America, including fiancée Louise Troh and two of her children. They all remain under quarantine and are constantly being monitored for possible infection.

Ms. Troh released a statement after Duncan's death, saying, "'His suffering is over. My family is in deep sadness and grief, but we leave him in the hands of God... Eric was a wonderful man who showed compassion toward all."

Ms. Troh also hinted she was dissatisfied with the way Duncan was treated. When Duncan first went to Texas Presbyterian Hospital on September 25, he was sent home with a prescription for antibiotics. For three more days, he suffered the infection in Ms. Troh's Dallas apartment, potentially exposing her family to the disease.

He was rushed back to Texas Presbyterian on September 28.

Since his arrival, Duncan had not reunited with 19-year-old son Karsiah, a college student in Texas.

His body still carries the virus and must now be disposed of in a way that will not put anyone else at risk, health authorities said.

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