A patient at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow is undergoing testing for a suspected case of the Ebola virus, following the World Health Organisation's declaration of the outbreak as a 'public health emergency of international concern.' If confirmed, this would be the first such case in the UK since the recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Patient Admitted and Testing Underway
The patient was reportedly admitted on Tuesday morning, June 30, according to the BBC. Public Health Scotland (PHS) confirmed it is collaborating closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to assess potential travel routes from affected countries into the UK.
A statement from PHS emphasized: “There are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Scotland and the risk to the general public remains low. Public Health Scotland is working closely with UKHSA, to assess routes by which travellers may enter the UK from affected countries. The risk from people arriving in the UK from affected areas is low and the NHS has safe procedures in place for detecting and managing any such cases.”
Established Protocols and Contact Tracing
PHS and NHS boards across Scotland have well-established protocols for assessing and testing travellers arriving from Ebola-affected areas. Where necessary, contact tracing will be initiated, and contacts may undergo clinical assessment and precautionary testing. The UKHSA Returning Workers Scheme (RWS) has also been activated to monitor the health of those who travel from the UK to affected areas for work. Organisations deploying workers to such areas must register them with the scheme.
Outbreak Statistics and UK Support
There have been nearly 700 confirmed cases of bundibugyo Ebola virus, predominantly in the DRC, with 138 deaths, including two in neighbouring Uganda. The UK has committed up to £21 million to support the local response to Ebola in the DRC, aiming to protect frontline workers and vulnerable communities.
