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Ebola outbreak: Risk to Britain remains 'very low' Ebola outbreak: UK patient given medical help in Sierra Leone
(about 7 hours later)
Health chiefs have said the Ebola risk to the UK remains "very low" amid reports that a Briton who tested positive for the virus in Sierra Leone was being flown to Britain. A British national who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone is being offered assistance by medical teams there, the UK's Department of Health has said.
Some Sunday papers report government sources saying the person, who has not been named, was being assessed for possible transfer to the UK. It comes amid press reports that the unnamed Briton - the first to contract the virus in this outbreak - was being assessed for transfer back to the UK.
Isolation units have been set up at the Royal Free Hospital in north London.Isolation units have been set up at the Royal Free Hospital in north London.
More than 1,400 people have died from the virus in west Africa since March. Health chiefs say the risk to the UK remains "very low". About 1,400 people have died in West Africa since March.
Prof John Watson, deputy chief medical officer for England, said: "The overall risk to the public in the UK continues to be very low. The virus - one of the world's deadliest diseases - is spread between humans through direct contact with infected blood.
"Medical experts are currently assessing the situation in Sierra Leone to ensure that appropriate care is provided. 'Robust 'systems
The Department of Health said the Briton had been living in Sierra Leone, one the countries worst affected by the deadly virus.
Several Sunday newspapers report the person could be transferred to London - but this is yet to be confirmed.
The BBC's Nigeria correspondent Will Ross said the patient would have a higher chance of survival if treated in the UK because the clinics in Sierra Leone are overwhelmed as the outbreak continues to spread.
Consular assistance is being provided to the British national but no further details about the patient have been given.
Meanwhile, Prof John Watson, deputy chief medical officer for England, said the overall risk to the public in the UK from Ebola continued to be "very low".
"Medical experts are currently assessing the situation in Sierra Leone to ensure that appropriate care is provided," he said.
"We have robust, well-developed and well-tested NHS systems for managing unusual infectious diseases when they arise, supported by a wide range of experts.""We have robust, well-developed and well-tested NHS systems for managing unusual infectious diseases when they arise, supported by a wide range of experts."
Consular assistance is being provided to the British national. No further details have been given about the Briton.
Travel advice
The Department of Health said the person was living in Sierra Leone, one the countries worst affected by the deadly virus.
The patient will have a higher chance of survival if treated in the UK because the clinics in Sierra Leone are overwhelmed as the outbreak continues to spread.
There is no cure for Ebola, although an experimental drug helped two Americans recover and three medical staff have also shown signs of improvement after taking it in Liberia.There is no cure for Ebola, although an experimental drug helped two Americans recover and three medical staff have also shown signs of improvement after taking it in Liberia.
Health workers say the body has a greater chance of fighting off the virus if the patient seeks help fast and the symptoms are treated.Health workers say the body has a greater chance of fighting off the virus if the patient seeks help fast and the symptoms are treated.
In west Africa many people have been reluctant to hand over their relatives, partly because more often than not they never see them again. More than half of those who have caught Ebola have died. In West Africa many people have been reluctant to hand over their relatives, partly because more often than not they never see them again. More than half of those who have caught Ebola have died.
Foreign Office advice, updated earlier this week, urged people to carefully assess their need to travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.Foreign Office advice, updated earlier this week, urged people to carefully assess their need to travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
British Airways suspended flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone on 5 August until the end of the month.British Airways suspended flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone on 5 August until the end of the month.
The World Health Organisation has put the number of people infected with the virus at 2,615. A total of 1,427 have died since the disease was identified in Guinea in March and spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. The World Health Organization has put the number of people infected with the virus at 2,615. A total of 1,427 have died since the disease was identified in Guinea in March and spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
Symptoms appear as a sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.Symptoms appear as a sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)