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Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey admitted to hospital again Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey admitted to hospital again
(35 minutes later)
Pauline Cafferkey, the British nurse who contracted Ebola in west Africa, is in a “stable condition” after being admitted to hospital for the third time since her return.Pauline Cafferkey, the British nurse who contracted Ebola in west Africa, is in a “stable condition” after being admitted to hospital for the third time since her return.
Cafferkey, 39, was infected while working with victims of the virus in Sierra Leone in December 2014. She spent almost a month in an isolation unit at the Royal Free hospital in north London, where she was treated with a survivor’s plasma and an experimental antiviral drug. On Tuesday afternoon an RAF aircraft landed at Glasgow airport to transport Cafferkey to London, where she is expected to receive further treatement at the Royal Free hospital.
Cafferkey, 39, was infected while working with victims of the virus in Sierra Leone in December 2014. She spent almost a month in an isolation unit at the Royal Free in north London, where she was treated with a survivor’s plasma and an experimental antiviral drug.
She fell ill again in October last year and was readmitted to the same hospital with meningitis caused by the lingering virus. After coming close to dying she was discharged in November and transferred to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University hospital to continue her recovery before returning home.She fell ill again in October last year and was readmitted to the same hospital with meningitis caused by the lingering virus. After coming close to dying she was discharged in November and transferred to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University hospital to continue her recovery before returning home.
Related: Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey nearly died from meningitis, doctors sayRelated: Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey nearly died from meningitis, doctors say
On Tuesday, it emerged that Cafferkey, from South Lanarkshire, was being treated again at the Glasgow hospital.On Tuesday, it emerged that Cafferkey, from South Lanarkshire, was being treated again at the Glasgow hospital.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “Ms Cafferkey was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University hospital under routine monitoring by the infectious diseases unit.She is undergoing further investigations and her condition remains stable..”An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “Ms Cafferkey was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University hospital under routine monitoring by the infectious diseases unit.She is undergoing further investigations and her condition remains stable..”
He stressed that, in the interests of patient confidentiality, there would not be regular updates on her condition.He stressed that, in the interests of patient confidentiality, there would not be regular updates on her condition.
The reappearance of the Ebola virus in Cafferkey’s brain causing meningitis in October was described as unprecedented.The reappearance of the Ebola virus in Cafferkey’s brain causing meningitis in October was described as unprecedented.
Jonathan Ball, a professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, said it was the first case he knew of where Ebola had been associated with life-threatening complications so many months after an initial recovery.Jonathan Ball, a professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, said it was the first case he knew of where Ebola had been associated with life-threatening complications so many months after an initial recovery.
Dr Derek Gatherer, lecturer in biomedical and life sciences at Lancaster University, said it was clear Ebola was a more complex disease than previously thought, with the most serious complication for survivors being meningitis.Dr Derek Gatherer, lecturer in biomedical and life sciences at Lancaster University, said it was clear Ebola was a more complex disease than previously thought, with the most serious complication for survivors being meningitis.
“The other main rare serious complication is inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis and/or uveitis), which can lead to blindness, especially if supportive treatments are unavailable,” he said. “The major post-recovery complications are joint aches, headaches and general tiredness, which can last for months. Up to half of Ebola survivors will have some or several of this milder range of symptoms.”“The other main rare serious complication is inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis and/or uveitis), which can lead to blindness, especially if supportive treatments are unavailable,” he said. “The major post-recovery complications are joint aches, headaches and general tiredness, which can last for months. Up to half of Ebola survivors will have some or several of this milder range of symptoms.”
Cafferkey’s latest hospital admission could mean people with whom she has been in hospital may be offered vaccination against the Ebola virus, as happened after her previous stay.Cafferkey’s latest hospital admission could mean people with whom she has been in hospital may be offered vaccination against the Ebola virus, as happened after her previous stay.
There is no no approved vaccine or treatment for Ebola but last month the Gavi alliance for vaccines and immunisation signed a $5m (£3.5m) deal to buy a vaccine being developed by Merck. Initial results from a clinical trial in Guinea, which tested the vaccine on 4,000 people who had been in close contact with a confirmed Ebola case, showed complete protection after 10 days.There is no no approved vaccine or treatment for Ebola but last month the Gavi alliance for vaccines and immunisation signed a $5m (£3.5m) deal to buy a vaccine being developed by Merck. Initial results from a clinical trial in Guinea, which tested the vaccine on 4,000 people who had been in close contact with a confirmed Ebola case, showed complete protection after 10 days.
Last month, the World Health Organisation declared that west Africa was free of the virus after a two-year epidemic that killed more than 11,300 people. But the announcement coincided with the death of a woman from the disease in Sierra Leone, who was feared to have exposed others.Last month, the World Health Organisation declared that west Africa was free of the virus after a two-year epidemic that killed more than 11,300 people. But the announcement coincided with the death of a woman from the disease in Sierra Leone, who was feared to have exposed others.