Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins says his office is considering whether to charge Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S.
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins says his office is considering whether to press charges against Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S.
Liberian authorities said this week Duncan would be prosecuted upon his return to Liberia for lying on a health form about not having had contact with an infected person before he departed the country.
“We are actively having discussions as to whether or not we need to look into this as relates to a criminal matter,“ Watkins said during a recording of NBC 5’s "Lone Star Politics" on Friday. “If it warrants a Dallas County prosecution then we will pursue it. But it may be more of a federal issue.”
After recording the program, Watkins said he does not know exactly what the DA’s office could charge Duncan with.
Duncan, who traveled to Dallas to visit relatives, wasn't diagnosed with Ebola until several days after he arrived.
The Dallas family he stayed with is under quarantine and their apartment was decontaminated Friday.
To see Watkins' full appearance, watch "Lone Star Politics" Sunday at 8:40 a.m. on NBC 5.
![[NATL-DFW] Liberia to Prosecute Man Who Brought Ebola to U.S.](https://ots.nbcwpshield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AP120111026551.jpg?fit=722%2C406){kind=link}