Ebola victim who sparked fears of a worldwide outbreak was American

Reports have emerged that the Ebola victim who died in Lagos and sparked fears that a historic outbreak of the disease could spread globally was an American citizen.

40-year-old Patrick Sawyer died this week in Lagos after he became ill on a flight from Liberia – where the worst ever outbreak of Ebola is gathering pace.

His case sparked alarm across the globe because he was able to board an international flight while carrying the incurable disease – potentially infecting other passengers.

He was planning to return home to Coon Rapids, Minnesota, United States of America (USA) to be reunited with his family for two of his daughters’ birthdays next month (August).