Patient ZERO is named: “Thomas Eric Duncan“

Yesterday the head of the CDC, Tom Friedman, claimed “I have no doubt that we will control this case of Ebola so that it does not spread” – today the CDC announces they are evaluating patient number two…. and that patient Zero had contact with several children of various ages who have also attended various schools.

DALLAS – Health officials are closely monitoring a possible second Ebola patient who had close contact with the first person to be diagnosed in the U.S., the director of Dallas County’s health department said Wednesday.

All who have been in close contact with the man diagnosed are being monitored as a precaution, said Zachary Thompson, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
“Let me be real frank to the Dallas County residents: The fact that we have one confirmed case, there may be another case that is a close associate with this particular patient,” he said. “So this is real. There should be a concern, but it’s contained to the specific family members and close friends at this moment.”

The director continued to assure residents that the public isn’t at risk because health officials have the virus contained. (read more)
And just in case you were wondering how confident we can be in the CDC recommendations and claims, watch the CDC director deny, then admit, that ebola can be transmitted with casual contact:

So Ebola is far less contagious than the flu or the cold and there is no reason to worry unless you are in “direct physical contact” with someone who has it. On the other hand, “if you’re within 3 feet” of someone who has it, “that’s a situation we’d want to be concerned about.”
Feeling safer yet?    Yeah, me neither….

UPDATE:  Five Dallas school-aged children who had contact with a man diagnosed with Ebola are being monitored.
Gov. Rick Perry said health officials learned Wednesday that the children have been identified as having contact with the man.
The five Dallas ISD schools being monitored are: Hotchkiss ES, Jack Lowe ES, Dandy Rogers ES, Tasby MS, Conrad HS.
The students were in school earlier this week, but are now at home and being monitored.
“Since the students are not presenting any symptoms, there is nothing to suggest that the disease was spread to others including students and staff,” Dallas ISD said in a release.
Dallas ISD superintendent Mike Miles says additional health and custodial staff will be at the five schools.
The man, now identified by the Associated Press as Thomas Eric Duncan, has been in isolation at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas since Sunday.
Duncan is the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. Health authorities have not revealed his nationality or age. He was listed in serious condition Wednesday.
Authorities say the ambulance crew who transported the man and members of his family are among the 12 to 18 people being monitored after exposure to the man  (link)