A British aid worker is being kept under observation at a London hospital after being medically evacuated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo following potential exposure to the deadly Ebola virus. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stressed that the evacuation was a highly precautionary measure after a potential healthcare-related exposure to the disease, for which there is no cure. The individual is now being monitored at a specialist facility in London.
No Symptoms Yet, but Monitoring Continues
The humanitarian worker had been treating patients with the virus in DR Congo when they were potentially exposed. A UKHSA spokesperson said: “The individual is not currently displaying any symptoms and remains well, but as a precautionary measure they have been evacuated on a flight chartered solely for the evacuation. They are now being assessed and monitored in isolation by infectious disease specialists at a London hospital. The incubation period of Ebola ranges from two to 21 days and the individual will be closely monitored and required to isolate throughout this period.”
Richard Pebody, Director of Epidemic and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: “The risk to the general public remains low. This individual has been transferred out of an abundance of caution, and we’re pleased they remain well.”
Ebola Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms of Ebola can appear suddenly between two and 21 days after infection. Early symptoms are flu-like and can include a high temperature, extreme tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, and headache. Other symptoms that can follow include vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, a skin rash, and bruising and yellowing of the skin and eyes. In more severe cases, Ebola can cause bleeding, including blood in stool and bleeding from different parts of the body such as the eyes.
Low Risk to UK Public
UKHSA has said the outbreak poses a low risk to the broader UK population. Ebola is only spread through close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms; the disease is not contagious during its incubation period. While rare, Ebola has an average fatality rate of about 50%, though previous outbreaks have recorded rates from 25% to 90%.
UKHSA continues to monitor the outbreak overseas and works with the NHS, Border Force, and other agencies to ensure anyone returning from regions with confirmed cases is assessed and treated safely. The NHS has specialist isolation units and established procedures in place to deal with suspected cases.
Outbreak in DR Congo Worsens
The outbreak in DR Congo continues to worsen, with confirmed Ebola cases rising to 2,423, including 967 deaths, according to government data released on Monday. The epidemic is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, a less common form of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned the virus is spreading more rapidly than containment efforts, highlighting growing challenges for health authorities.
