KILLEEN, Texas, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Tests have confirmed a soldier found dead on his doorstep was not infected with the Ebola virus on a recent deployment to West Africa.
Late Tuesday, authorities at Carl R. Darnall Medical Center at Fort Hood in Texas said a second test had confirmed the 24-year-old did not have Ebola. They said the death remained under investigation.
The soldier, whose name wasn't reported, was part of a group of 87 soldiers who returned to the United States a few days ago after helping to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Liberia. Officials say they were given safety instructions that included avoiding eating any local food or even shaking hands with Liberian soldiers they worked with.
"The soldier had recently returned on emergency leave and was under established guidelines to self-monitor himself twice-a-day and report his status to medical officials," a statement from Fort Hood military base said. "At this point, there is no indication of the Ebola virus disease, but medical tests are underway to ensure there is no threat to the community."
The soldier was found dead on his doorstep near a pool of vomit around 7:30 a.m. local time Tuesday, and a hazmat team cordoned off the area.
Soldiers who were deployed to West Africa had no immediate contact with Ebola patients and were only there to help with logistics and to build treatment facilities. The Ebola virus spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of infected patients who are already showing symptoms.
