Ebola outbreak: Texas sheriff's deputy rushed to hospital amid fears of infection

The officer had visited the apartment of Thomas Duncan, who died of the disease after arriving from Liberia

Michael Monnig arrives at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, in Dallas (Getty Images)

A sheriff’s deputy who came into contact with the family of a man who died from Ebola in the US was taken to hospital by paramedics in protective clothing after he showed some potential symptoms on the disease.

Michael Monnig, who had also gone into the home of Thomas Duncan, who died of the disease on Wednesday, complained of stomach pain and feeling fatigued, according to the Dallas Morning News.

His son Logan Monnig told the paper that his father wanted to have his symptoms checked, but added: “We don’t want to cause a panic. There is almost no chance my dad would have Ebola.

“He spent very little time in the apartment, and he did not come into contact with Mr Duncan or any bodily fluids.

Thomas Duncan was the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola within the United States (AP)

“We’re just waiting for the facts right now to make sure he’s okay.”

Officials in Frisco, Texas, initially spoke of “a patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of Ebola”, but later moved to play down the idea that Mr Monnig had caught the deadly disease.

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Frisco’s Mayor Maher Maso said they were acting “with an abundance of caution” and added that “the risk is minimal”. And Fire Chief Mark Piland said Mr Moonig was “minus a few” symptoms of Ebola, but would be watched for 48 hours.

Officials at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also said the deputy did not appear to have Ebola.

The ambulance that took him to a Dallas hospital and medical staff who came into contact with Mr Monnig went through decontamination procedures after he was admitted.

Michael Monnig is taken into the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, in Dallas (Getty) (Getty Images)