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Ebola fear causes gas mask sales surge | Ebola fear causes gas mask sales surge |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Fears over Ebola have led to increased demand for protective suits and gas masks, according to the owner of a firm that sells survivalist equipment. | |
Lincoln Miles, from Eynesbury in Cambridgeshire, said he sold about 50 "Ebola kits" last week from his business in Roxton, Bedfordshire. | Lincoln Miles, from Eynesbury in Cambridgeshire, said he sold about 50 "Ebola kits" last week from his business in Roxton, Bedfordshire. |
He says he normally has orders for about five a week. | He says he normally has orders for about five a week. |
But a Cambridge University virologist said such equipment in untrained hands was unlikely to be reliable. | But a Cambridge University virologist said such equipment in untrained hands was unlikely to be reliable. |
Mr Miles said: "We're selling out of NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) suits and gas masks which both work together to protect against Ebola and other viruses. | Mr Miles said: "We're selling out of NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) suits and gas masks which both work together to protect against Ebola and other viruses. |
"We went from about five a week to about 50 or 60 a week. Before they're on the shelf, they're out the door." | "We went from about five a week to about 50 or 60 a week. Before they're on the shelf, they're out the door." |
Most of the kits were being ordered by people in the UK, Mr Miles said. | |
His anti-Ebola stock includes biohazard protection suits for around £13 and gas masks at about £20. | His anti-Ebola stock includes biohazard protection suits for around £13 and gas masks at about £20. |
"Preppers" - people preparing themselves to survive in a variety of emergency situations - can also buy hermetically-sealed emergency ration packs and NBC socks, at 99p per pair. | "Preppers" - people preparing themselves to survive in a variety of emergency situations - can also buy hermetically-sealed emergency ration packs and NBC socks, at 99p per pair. |
"I am surprised by the number of people interested in getting themselves prepared," Mr Miles said. | "I am surprised by the number of people interested in getting themselves prepared," Mr Miles said. |
"I think it's important to keep it in perspective and at the moment there haven't been any cases in the UK, but it's worthwhile being prepared," he added. | "I think it's important to keep it in perspective and at the moment there haven't been any cases in the UK, but it's worthwhile being prepared," he added. |
However, Mr Miles and his survivalist customers are not the only ones concerned about the virus. | However, Mr Miles and his survivalist customers are not the only ones concerned about the virus. |
Last week a father worried about Ebola arriving in the UK took his teenage daughter out of a Bedfordshire school because it would not let her wear a facemask. | Last week a father worried about Ebola arriving in the UK took his teenage daughter out of a Bedfordshire school because it would not let her wear a facemask. |
Virologist Dr Chris Smith, based at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, said: "Medical staff in Spain and the US who've caught Ebola had this equipment, and they also had extensive training in infection control - yet they still became infected. | Virologist Dr Chris Smith, based at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, said: "Medical staff in Spain and the US who've caught Ebola had this equipment, and they also had extensive training in infection control - yet they still became infected. |
"I would not judge [this equipment] to be reliable in the hands of untrained individuals." | "I would not judge [this equipment] to be reliable in the hands of untrained individuals." |
A Public Health England spokesman said: "We would like to reassure people that the risk of Ebola in the UK remains low, and we have no known confirmed cases of Ebola in this country. | A Public Health England spokesman said: "We would like to reassure people that the risk of Ebola in the UK remains low, and we have no known confirmed cases of Ebola in this country. |
"We have a world-class domestic health system that is ready to respond if we do see a case in the UK." | "We have a world-class domestic health system that is ready to respond if we do see a case in the UK." |
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