BREAKING! Ebola claims first victim in America as Texas patient dies

The first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. Thomas Eric Duncan has succumbed to the deadly disease.

The announcement comes just hours after he was listed by officials in critical condition, according to Reuters.

"It is with profound sadness and heartfelt disappointment that we must inform you of the death of Thomas Eric Duncan this morning at 7:51 a.m. Mr. Duncan succumbed to an insidious disease, Ebola," the spokesperson said.

"He fought courageously in this battle."

He had been on a ventilator and a kidney dialysis machine since Tuesday and family members said he no longer had a fever and his diarrhea had ended — two of the biggest symptoms of the virus.