A humanitarian worker is being monitored and assessed by specialists in a London hospital after contracting suspected Ebola. The worker, a British resident, was exposed to the disease while working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Evacuation and current status
The UK Health Security Agency said he was evacuated on a chartered flight as a precautionary measure but remains well with no current symptoms. There has been no recorded case of Ebola in the UK since 2015, when three health workers returned from Africa with the disease.
Richard Pebody, Director of Epidemic & Emerging Infections at UKHSA, stated: '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.'
DR Congo outbreak
DR Congo has been facing a substantially faster outbreak, which has so far claimed 930 lives, with 2,344 cases reported on Saturday alone. Ebola can take between two to 21 days to incubate, with patients needing to isolate during that time.
First declared in May, this is becoming the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record, and so far there have been 20 confirmed cases outside DR Congo. Among those 20 cases have been two deaths, one in Uganda and one in France.
The Democratic Republic's Ministry of Health said on Monday: 'Patient care and support capacities are consolidating, with 22 new recoveries recorded in 24 hours.'
Previous scares and context
Last month, there was some concern over a potential patient in Scotland, with part of a Glasgow hospital sealed off to stop the spread. Ultimately, the person – who had been to an Ebola-affected country – tested negative.
In 2014, a Scottish nurse became the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the UK after treating patients in the 'Red Zone' in Sierra Leone's disease-stricken Kerry Town. Colleagues believe that she may have contracted the illness after attending a church service without her hazard suit on Christmas morning.
In June, a French doctor tested positive for Ebola after returning home. France's health ministry said the patient had been on a humanitarian mission and they are said to have recovered.
Those who may have come into contact with the patient are being traced, and the general risk the outbreak presents in Europe remains low.
Vaccine concerns
Last month, it was revealed that the 'first line of defence' against the deadly strain of Ebola has collapsed. Known as Bundibugyo, this strain is rare and currently has no vaccine or treatment. The World Health Organisation declared a public health emergency last month following the outbreak.
