British healthcare worker with Ebola to be treated in UK

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 13:19 · Archive

A British healthcare worker who tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being flown back to the UK for treatment. The patient is expected to arrive at the Royal Free Hospital in London later on Thursday, one of only two UK hospitals equipped to deal with Ebola cases, the other being the Royal Victoria in Newcastle.

The outbreak in the DRC, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has resulted in more than 5,000 deaths. This is the first case involving a British national linked to the current DRC outbreak.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness with death rates in past outbreaks ranging from 25 to 90 per cent. Symptoms typically appear between two and 21 days after exposure and can include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.

Only four cases of Ebola have ever been confirmed in the UK. One occurred in 1976 following a laboratory needle incident; three involved health workers who responded to an outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2015.

The Government spokesperson said: 'A British citizen currently in the DRC has tested positive for Ebola. The UK has well-established procedures for dealing with cases like this, and those processes have been activated. The risk to the UK public from Ebola remains low.'

Professor Emma Thomson, director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, said the Royal Free has 'state-of-the-art isolation facilities and highly experienced clinical teams' with 'strict protocols in place to protect healthcare workers and prevent onward transmission'. Dr Damien Tully from the Medical Research Council noted that healthcare workers face particular risks, saying that even with rigorous protective measures, accidental exposures can occur.

British healthcare worker with Ebola to be treated in UK — Image: This Is Local London

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How it is being reported

London-bound Ebola patient to be treated in a 'special tent'A British man infected with Ebola is being flown back to the UK for specialist treatment.This Is Local London · 5 Nov, 12:52
Government issues update to public as Ebola patient 'evacuated' to London hospitalA British man has tested positive for the Ebola virus.This Is Local London · 5 Nov, 12:28
British man with 'highly infectious' Ebola to be flown to London hospitalA British national is being flown to London after testing positive for Ebola.This Is Local London · 5 Nov, 12:07
British man infected with Ebola to be flown to UK for treatmentIt is believed he is a healthcare worker who tested positive amid the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Evening Standard · 5 Nov, 10:15
British man with ebola to be flown to UK after 5,000 deathsThe UK has two dedicated high-level isolation unitsMyLondon · 5 Nov, 06:32

In this story: Democratic Republic of Congo · United Kingdom · Royal Free Hospital London · Royal Victoria · Professor Emma Thomson · Dr Damien Tully

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