Former Fiancée of Ebola Victim Thomas Eric Duncan Prays for Community Healing on Eve of Quarantine Release; Will Write 'Love Story' Book After Losing Possessions
Louise Troh, the former fiancée of Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan, prayed for community healing on the eve of her release from quarantine.
On Oct. 8, 42-year-old Duncan became the first Ebola victim to die on American soil and his family was forced out of their contaminated Dallas apartment and moved to an undisclosed location in Dallas County.
Troh, her 13-year-old son by Duncan and two adult nephews were placed in quarantine for 21 days and released around midnight on Sunday. In a statement released through her church, Wilshire Baptist, Troh thanked state health workers whom she described as "angels from God" and requested healing for the community.
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"Our happiness is mixed with sadness at the same time. My beloved fiancé Thomas Eric Duncan, who was also the father of my son, Karsiah Eric Duncan, did not survive with us. We continue to mourn his loss and grieve the circumstances that led to his death," Troh said in a statement obtained by CW33.com. "We pray that God will bring healing to all in our community soon."
Since Duncan's death, at least two other people have contracted the deadly Ebola disease. Texas Health Presbyterian hospital nurses Nina Pham, 26, and Amber Vinson, 29, both cared for Duncan and they are currently being treated in isolation units.
"Our hearts also go out to the two brave women who have been infected by this terrible disease as they were trying to help him," Troh said. "We are also aware of how much this has affected many other people of my city, Dallas, and my country, the United States of America, even as it has in the country of my birth, Liberia."
Duncan is believed to have contracted Ebola, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), in Liberia where there have been 3,834 reported cases and 2,069 related deaths this year as of Oct.1 2014, according to CDC. According to Troh he did not know he had the Virus upon returning to the U.S. last month.
Troh, who met Duncan years ago in refugee camp on the Ivory Coast, and her family have lost most of their possessions as hazmat teams destroyed them as a cleansing precaution. She was reportedly left with some personal documents, photographs, and a single Bible.
In an attempt to rebuild, Troh will reportedly write a tell-all about her harrowing experience and the book she said will be a "love story." Her pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church Senior Pastor George Mason, is coordinating efforts with the city to help Troh recover.
"They were left with nothing. They are completely devastated by this, so there's need to have their lives rebuilt," Pastor Mason said.
