Health Officials Relocate Family of US Ebola Patient

Health officials relocated the family of Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan to a private residence in Dallas County, Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed Tuesday the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. Thomas Eric Duncan, who got the disease from Liberia,  is presently being treated at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.

The private home was donated by a person who wants to remain anonymous. Officials had a tough time finding accommodation for the family as hotels, flats and others refused to offer them shelter.

"The city and county has been working very hard to put this family in a safe location, and it has been tough, because no one wanted them," said city of Dallas spokeswoman Sana Sayed. "And so someone was kind enough to offer up a private residence, that is gated, that is separated from any neighborhood and apartment complex, so that they can have their privacy and be away from anyone who has concerns," she said , reports wfaa.com.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins accompanied Duncan's family when they came out of the apartment on Friday. He also did not wear any protection gear so as to assure the public that Duncan's family was healthy and there was no cause for worry.

Meanwhile, hazardous-materials specialists on Friday decontaminated the apartment where Duncan stayed before being isolated, reports the Associated Press.

Officials said that the specialists collected bed sheets, towels and a mattress used by Duncan before he was hospitalized. They also collected his suitcase and other personal belongings.

The materials were then sealed in industrial barrels that were to be kept in trucks till disposed permanently.

Federal transportation and disease-control officials issued an emergency special permit Friday to allow an Illinois-based company to dispose of the material from the apartment as well as from any hospital from where Duncan receives treatment.