WASHINGTON: Fears of an Ebola epidemic gripped the United States on Thursday as health officials warned that more than 100 people were exposed to a confirmed patient in Dallas, Texas.

Dallas County Public Health Department said 12 to 18 people came into direct contact with the patient while others came into contact with this group.

Know more: Man catches Ebola in US after arriving from Liberia

The issue also echoed in Congress where a Republican senator, Rand Paul, accused the Obama administration of “underplaying” the threat of Ebola.

On Sept 30, a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, was diagnosed with Ebola in a Dallas hospital

On Oct 1, health officials in Texas announced that a second person was under observation for possible Ebola virus. This person had close contact with the confirmed case.

Within 24 hours, the number of patients being watched for Ebola increased to 100.

In Honolulu, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed that a patient was placed in isolation after doctors believed he too was infected with Ebola virus.

Mr Duncan arrived in Dallas on Sept 20 and on Sept 24 he developed symptoms and sought medical care. On Sept 30, doctors confirmed that he was infected with Ebola virus.

Earlier on Sept 15, he helped transport a neighbour in Monrovia, Liberia, to the hospital. The 19-year-old pregnant woman later died of Ebola.

On Sept 19, Mr Duncan left Monrovia for Brussels where he boarded United Airlines Flight 951 to Washington Dulles Airport. He arrived in Dallas on Sept 20.

His movements scared health officials because he came into contact with a large number of people.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2014