Second US Ebola case deals blow to global battle

Washington

A TEXAS healthcare worker who treated an Ebola victim has tested positive for the deadly tropical fever, dealing a blow to the worldwide battle to stem the outbreak.

More than 4,000 people have died from Ebola in seven countries since the start of the year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and the epidemic appears to be outpacing efforts to fight it.

If preliminary test results are confirmed, the Texas patient would be the second person diagnosed with the illness and apparently the first to contract it on US soil, a day after US airports began screening travellers from epidemic-hit West Africa.

"We knew a second case could be a reality, and we've been preparing for this possibility," said Dr David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. "We are broadening our tea…