The UK Health & Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that a British health worker has been hospitalised in London over concerns relating to possible Ebola exposure.
The government agency added that the medical evacuation was arranged as "a highly precautionary measure following a potential healthcare related exposure to Ebola". The individual in question had been working with a humanitarian organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) supporting the Ebola outbreak response.
According to a spokesperson for the UKHSA, the individual is not currently displaying any symptoms and remains well.
Ebola background and recent outbreak
Ebola is a rare but severe and often fatal viral disease that causes hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates. It is caused by a group of viruses called orthoebolaviruses and is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa.
In May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an outbreak spreading across the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is the highest level of global health alert under international law.
That announcement followed a sharp surge in cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, with health officials cautioning that cross-border transmission, the displacement of populations and ongoing conflict in eastern Congo all created a risk of further spread.
Previous suspected case in Scotland
Last month, a patient who was tested for the suspected Ebola virus at a Glasgow hospital tested negative and was discharged. Public Health Scotland (PHS) said the individual was tested for Ebola as a precautionary measure.
In a statement released on Tuesday (21 July), the UKHSA said the health worker evacuated from the Congo this week is being assessed and monitored in isolation by infectious disease specialists.
They added that the incubation period of Ebola ranges from 2 to 21 days and the individual will be closely monitored and required to isolate throughout this period.
UKHSA statement and case numbers
Richard Pebody, Director, 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."
As of 20 July, the DRC reported a total of 2,423 confirmed cases, including 967 related deaths (from data up until 19 July). A total of 734 patients are hospitalised in isolation. As of 17 July, a total of 20 confirmed cases - including two deaths - have been reported by the Ministry of Health in Uganda.
The last confirmed case was reported on 21 June and no new cases have been reported since then. On 16 July, Uganda discharged the last Ebola patient who had been receiving treatment at the Mulago National Referral Isolation Centre.
Uganda's Ministry of Health also announced the start of the 42-day countdown to declaring the end of the outbreak.
