Timeline of how EBOLA arrived Dallas

September 19: The adult patient boards a flight to the U.S. in Liberia after being screened for Ebola symptoms

September 20: The patient arrives in the United States

September 24: Patient shows first symptoms of Ebola

September 26: Patient seeks initial medical care

September 28: Patient admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas

A Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital spokesman said the patient has been in isolation since he arrived on Sunday, and hospital officials had been "meeting for weeks in anticipation of such an event." He added that the facility has a "robust infection control system" in place.

Dr. Frieden said he believes "a handful" of people had contact with the patient between the September 24-28, including family members and "a couple" of community members. Those people are to be monitored by the CDC starting Tuesday.

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The virus is not contagious until symptoms are present. Early symptoms of Ebola include sudden fever, fatigue, and headache. Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure.

Statement by Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zachary Thompson; “'This is not Africa. We have a great infrastructure to deal with an outbreak.'

What Are the Symptoms of Ebola?

Early on, Ebola can feel like the flu or other illnesses. Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include:

-High fever

-Headache

-Joint and muscle aches

-Sore throat

-Weakness

-Stomach pain

-Lack of appetite

As the disease gets worse, it causes bleeding inside the body, as well as from the eyes, ears, and nose.  Some people will vomit or cough up blood, have bloody diarrhea, and get a rash.

Because the natural reservoir host of Ebola viruses has not yet been identified, the manner in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, researchers believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal.

Transmission

When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. 

-Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola.

-objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus

infected animals.

-Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, food. However, in Africa, 

-Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.

-Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and the family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are at the highest risk of getting sick because they may come in contact with infected blood or body fluids of sick patients.