The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been working closely with health professionals to treat Ebola patients and monitor possible cases in the U.S.  On Sept. 30, the CDC confirmed the first travel-associated case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the U.S.  In order to help curb its spread, the CDC is working with domestic and international partners.  The CDC has also deployed a team of public health experts to West Africa.

According to Today Health, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden has stated that he believes there have been signs of progress in the fight against Ebola.  The CDC has trained more than 4,000 health workers in Africa and more in the U.S. to help keep the epidemic at bay.  Dallas patient Thomas Duncan is currently fighting for his life and the 48 people that came into contact with him are being closely monitored.  Outreach staff in Texas are taking their temperatures regularly to check for signs of infection and the authorities will become involved if any of them try to leave their monitored locations.

Still, another patient is coming back to the U.S. for treatment.  NBC News reported that freelance journalist Ashoka Mukpo was diagnosed with Ebola while in Liberia.  A cameraman for NBC News, he came to the U.S. to receive treatment at a hospital in Nebraska.  Leaving Liberia on a specially equipped jet, Mukpo was eager to leave Liberia and was able to walk with some assistance.  His family has been in touch with him via videoconferencing since his return and note that he in high spirits.  The fifth American to be diagnosed with Ebola, Mukpo is part of the largest Ebola epidemic in history.