Tests confirm that a U.S. Army soldier who just returned from West Africa and was found dead near his Texas base where he was posted was not infected with Ebola, Fort Hood officials said late Tuesday.
Army officials had been awaiting those results from more conclusive tests after an initial screening showed the soldier, who was self-monitoring for symptoms, had not been infected with the virus.
"There is no evidence of a public health threat or EVD (Ebola virus disease) exposure to community or law enforcement officials involved in the current investigation of the death of a Ft. Hood soldier," post officials said in a statement.
The soldier was found dead in front of his off-post home in the nearby town of Killeen early Tuesday.
A cause of death was not named for the unidentified soldier, who had recently returned to Fort Hood in central Texas on emergency leave, post officials said.
Like other soldiers returning from West Africa, the soldier had been monitoring himself twice daily and reporting his status to medical officials, they said.
"We are not saying Ebola at all," Killeen police spokeswoman Carol Smith told Reuters on Tuesday. "It's just that because of the circumstances from West Africa, we are erring on the side of caution."
A brigade from Fort Hood has been deployed in Liberia since October in support of "Operation United Assistance," a program to help control the Ebola outbreak in the West African country.
Latest Stories
-
2024 Election: Voter apathy caused NPP’s defeat – Justin Kodua
19 minutes -
Ghanaian teacher shortlisted for GEM’s $1m global prize
23 minutes -
Young entrepreneurs encouraged to capitalise on 5-year tax exemption Incentives
32 minutes -
Lord Morrgan fulfils promise; gifts fan Wale new motorbike
1 hour -
CHAN 2024 Draw: Two-time Champions Morocco in Group A with hosts Kenya
1 hour -
Disregarding ORAL’s mandate doesn’t help the nation – Kpebu
1 hour -
NDC gov’t cannot fulfil its promises under the current IMF programme – Godfred Bokpin
2 hours -
13 newly recruited staff posted to Creative Arts Agency
2 hours -
NPP: You can’t blame me or the chairman for election defeat – Justin Kodua
2 hours -
ORAL team is illegal, Mahama was president-elect when he set up committee – Minority
2 hours -
27-year-old seeks to represent Ashanti Region on the Council of State
2 hours -
There is a new leader in town, but yet to be tested practically on the job – Nana Amoasi VII on Energy Minister-designate
2 hours -
Fire Service to restore fire tenders and establish permanent coverage at major markets- Alex King Nartey
2 hours -
“Even in death, you’re still touching lives” – Mother’s tribute to 10-year-old Lisa Laryea who died of Leukemia
2 hours -
Volta regional minister designate, James Gunu: A timely reset for development and progress
2 hours