Washington, October 17 (RHC)-- The fear of the deadly Ebola outbreak has led to the temporary closure of several schools across the United States, according to officials. Schools in Texas and Ohio cancelled their classes on Thursday because some staff members and students might have come in contact with a person infected with the virus.

The precautionary measure was taken after officials learned that the school staff may have traveled aboard the same plane as Amber Joy Vinson, the second U.S. nurse diagnosed with Ebola.

Solon Middle School and Parkside Elementary School in Ohio and North Belton Middle School and Sparta Elementary in Texas are among the schools. However, some schools did not close their campuses, but asked their students and staff to stay home.

Vinson was the second nurse who contracted the virus after caring for Thomas Eric Duncan. Duncan died from Ebola at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on October 8th while visiting Dallas from Liberia.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden said there is an "extremely low" risk to anyone else on the same airplane, but all passengers are being contacted as part of "extra margins of safety."

More than 8,900 people have been infected by the Ebola virus so far in West Africa. The World Health Organization said Thursday that the number of Ebola infections in West Africa is doubling every four weeks despite efforts to stop its deadly spread.