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Ebola outbreak: UK sending 750 troops to Sierra Leone Ebola outbreak: UK sending 750 troops to Sierra Leone
(35 minutes later)
The UK is sending 750 military personnel to Sierra Leone to help deal with the deadly Ebola outbreak, the Ministry of Defence has said.The UK is sending 750 military personnel to Sierra Leone to help deal with the deadly Ebola outbreak, the Ministry of Defence has said.
They will help build a treatment facility in the West African country.They will help build a treatment facility in the West African country.
The BBC understands the UK will also send the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus and three Merlin helicopters. The BBC understands the UK will also send a medical ship, the RFA Argus, and three Merlin helicopters.
More than 3,400 people have died during the current Ebola outbreak, nearly all of them in West Africa. In Sierra Leone the death toll is at least 678.More than 3,400 people have died during the current Ebola outbreak, nearly all of them in West Africa. In Sierra Leone the death toll is at least 678.
Save the Children has reported the rate of infection is increasing in Sierra Leone, with five new cases every hour. Save the Children has reported the rate of infection is rapidly increasing in Sierra Leone, with five new cases every hour.
There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola - one of the world's deadliest viruses. There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola, which has so far infected more than 7,200 people.
NI soldiers deployed Britain 'worried'
It follows an earlier confirmation from the MoD that 40 soldiers based in Northern Ireland have been deployed to Sierra Leone. The usual role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus is to serve as a casualty receiving ship and the vessel is equipped 100-bed medical complex.
The Royal Scots Borders 1st Battalion is based at Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down. The Merlin helicopters will be based off the coast and will help to move UK forces.
It is not clear whether the 40 are included in the total of 750. Forty British military engineers have already travelled to Sierra Leone to make sure the facilities can be set up, and they will be joined by logisticians and medics.
The deployment of UK troops comes as further details are released about the case of a Spanish nurse infected with Ebola - the first person known to have contracted the virus outside West Africa. BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said 100 troops had been due to travel to the country next week but they will now be joined by hundreds more.
"It shows Britain is clearly worried about this and is ramping up its efforts in the same way the US has done," said our correspondent.
The deployment emerged following a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee chaired by the prime minister.
Downing Street said it was part of an "ongoing series" of meetings to co-ordinate the UK response.
US screening begins
Meanwhile, the US Department of Homeland Security has ordered agents at airports and other ports to "observe" arrivals for potential signs of Ebola.
Passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will have their temperatures taken and have to answer questions, according to Reuters news agency.
But Public Health England has reiterated there are no plans to introduce screening for those arriving in the UK.
Further details are also emerging about the case of a Spanish nurse infected with Ebola - the first person known to have contracted the virus outside West Africa.
A doctor in Madrid has said Teresa Romero remembers touching her face with her gloves after treating a dying priest.A doctor in Madrid has said Teresa Romero remembers touching her face with her gloves after treating a dying priest.
A World Health Organization adviser earlier warned that more cases could be expected among medical staff, even in developed countries.A World Health Organization adviser earlier warned that more cases could be expected among medical staff, even in developed countries.