The first man diagnosed with Ebola in the US, Thomas Eric Duncan, has died, says the Dallas facility where he was being treated.

A statement released by the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital said,”It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning at 7:51am.Mr Duncan succumbed to an insidious disease, Ebola. He fought courageously in this battle.”

The Liberian national picked up the killer virus in Liberia before flying to Texas where he fell ill and was admitted to the Dallas hospital.

His family said they had visited him on Tuesday at the hospital, but declined to view him via video link because his condition was too “disturbing”.

Mr Duncan’s nephew, Josephus Weeks, said he and his mother had been unable to sleep after seeing Mr Duncan’s face over video during a previous visit. He was being treated with an experimental drug and had been on a breathing machine while receiving kidney dialysis.