Update: 1st Test Negative in Florida's Possible Ebola Case

Update Sept. 8, 4:26 p.m.: An initial test on the Miami patient came back negative, but the CDC is retesting the sample to confirm the finding, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Earlier:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is investigating a case out of Miami where a patient at a local hospital is suspected to have contracted the Ebola virus.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, this would be the first time an Ebola patient has landed on U.S. soil without advanced notice, The Hill reported. It is not considered likely that Ebola would present naturally in the United States.

Details about the patient are not readily available, but the CDC says the ongoing outbreak is the largest in history. A total of 3,307 cases have been reported in West Africa through Aug. 31, the CDC reported, with 2,106 of those case laboratory confirmed. The number of deaths attributed to Ebola stands at more than 1,800.

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is considered a serve, often fatal, disease. It presents with symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, unexplained bruising or bleeding and vomiting in patients, the CDC website said. The virus is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids.

To date, at least three Americans have contracted the virus while working with infected patients in West Africa where the outbreak originated. Two have been cured, but one remains hospitalized, The Hill reported.

As the outbreak continues to plague West Africa, President Barack Obama has announced the U.S. military will provide equipment and aid to help in the battle against the disease, the Washington Post reported.

It is unclear at this time when the CDC will make a determination in the Miami case.

Photo Credit: The Ebola virus/Slide from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control