Results of Initial tests on the Texas soldier found dead are negative for the Ebola virus, Fort Hood officials announced Tuesday evening. A more conclusive test is being conducted to confirm the preliminary findings. A Fort Hood, Texas, soldier found dead outside his residence in nearby Killeen on Tuesday returned from duty in West Africa less than a week ago, but "there is no indication of the Ebola virus disease," base officials said. The soldier, who has not been identified, was granted emergency leave from the 21-day quarantine (Defense Department officials call it "controlled monitoring") for family reasons, Fort Hood spokesman Tyler Broadway said. The soldier had been reporting his medical status twice daily to medical officials during his leave. The soldier was one of 87 troops who returned Jan. 7 to Fort Hood after serving in Liberia since October in support of Operation United Assistance. Tests are being performed to rule out Ebola, Broadway said. KCEN-TV reports the area where the soldier was found has been blocked off by Killeen and Fort Hood police. Emergency leave from the post-deployment quarantine is covered by the Nov. 14 Joint Chiefs instruction outlining the policy, Troops can be granted leave in the aftermath of the death of an immediate family member; to care for a sick or dying family member; or if "failure to return home places a severe or unusual hardship on the service member or their immediate family." Those taking the leave must be cleared by a medical professional, the guidance states.

Got this email from the rsoe .