(VOVworld) – A “Doctors Without Borders” physician recently returned from West Africa has tested positive for Ebola, the first confirmed case in New York City, authorities said Thursday.

Bellevue Hospital is where Craig Spencer being treated for Ebola infection. (Photo: Reuters)

Doctor Craig Spencer was sent to Bellevue Hospital, one of eight hospitals in New York prepared to treat Ebola patients. Authorities have quarantined Spencer’s apartment to prevent the infection spreading. 3 Ebola infections have been confirmed in the US, including 2 nurses at a Texas hospital who were infected while caring for Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan, who died of Ebola on October 8. The World Health Organization announced Thursday that the Ebola outbreak is still an emergency. The virus’s death toll is increasing. 4,900 people have died out of 9,936 infections. The WHO warns that infections will increase to 10,000 per week by the beginning of December if the international community does not respond effectively.