A doctor infected with the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone has become the second person to die from the disease on American soil.

Dr Martin Salia was airlifted from West Africa to the Nebraska Medical Centre but passed away overnight, the hospital confirmed in a statement.

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“Dr Salia was extremely critical when he arrived here, and unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we weren’t able to save him,” Dr Phil Smith, medical director of the biocontainment unit at Nebraska Medical Center, said.

“It’s w/ heavy hearts that we announce Dr. Martin Salia passed away this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are w/ his family.”@jeffreypgold

— Nebraska Medicine (@NebraskaMed) November 17, 2014

Dr Salia’s evacuation came at the request of his American wife, who has asked the US government to pay for all of the medical costs.

According to the World Health Organisation, 5,177 people are known to have died of Ebola across eight countries.

– with ABC