The death of Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan on Wednesday and the hospitalization of a Dallas law enforcement official over suspicion of Ebola infection have amplified the Ebola scare among Americans.

Duncan, the first Ebola case diagnosed outside of the outbreak zone in West Africa, arrived in the United State from Liberia two weeks ago and had fought for his life until early Wednesday morning.

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His case has stirred concern over how easily a contagious disease could slip undetected to U.S. soil, revealing gaps in U.S. readiness to deal with the infection.

His death also renewed questions on whether the delay in his treatment could have affected his chances of recovery and whether Ebola infection has already spread to others.

Washington on Wednesday ordered U.S. airports to beef up screening measures of arriving passengers from West Africa to prevent importation of the hemorrhagic disease from the Ebola-stricken countries.

Temperature taking and Ebola-related interviews at New York's John F. Kennedy airport will begin on Saturday, while four other major airports are expected to implement tighter procedures in the coming days.

"It will give us the ability to isolate, evaluate and monitor travelers as needed," President Barack Obama said Wednesday in a conference call with state and local officials.

Following Duncan's death, Texas Health Presbyterian admitted Sgt. Michael Monning amid concerns the deputy was showing Ebola-like symptoms.

The deputy earlier visited the place where Duncan stayed and came in contact with his relatives.

Monning was already tested for Ebola and results are expected to return in 48 hours, but already officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have cleared him of any infection.

In Wednesday's conference call, Obama stressed the importance of following protocols and procedures that have already been set in place. He expressed his confidence that these procedures will prevent the spread of Ebola in the U.S., but urged officials to be vigilant in the days to come.

Tagsmedicine, Microbiology, Biology