Obama offers federal help to NY with Ebola case

Washington - President Barack Obama is offering federal support to New York as it responds to its first Ebola case.

Obama spoke on Thursday night to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Govenor Andrew Cuomo. The White House says some officials from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention were already on the ground, with another team expected to have arrived late on Thursday.

Obama is asking Cuomo and de Blasio to stay in close touch with Ron Klain, Obama's "Ebola czar," and public health officials in Washington.

He's pledging more help if needed to ensure proper care for the patient and safety for health workers and the public.

A doctor who treated Ebola patients in West Africa tested positive on Thursday. He's the fourth Ebola case diagnosed in the US.