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Ebola: British patient has been evacuated from Sierra Leone | Ebola: British patient has been evacuated from Sierra Leone |
(35 minutes later) | |
A British military healthcare worker who tested positive for Ebola is being flown to the UK for treatment. | A British military healthcare worker who tested positive for Ebola is being flown to the UK for treatment. |
Two of her colleagues are also being flown back as a precaution in case the infection has been passed on through close contact. They have not been diagnosed with Ebola. | Two of her colleagues are also being flown back as a precaution in case the infection has been passed on through close contact. They have not been diagnosed with Ebola. |
A further two colleagues are being assessed in Sierra Leone, and may be flown back in the future. | A further two colleagues are being assessed in Sierra Leone, and may be flown back in the future. |
Public Health England said there was no threat to the general public. | Public Health England said there was no threat to the general public. |
Between 600 and 700 UK defence personnel are based in Sierra Leone as part of efforts to tackle the largest ever outbreak of Ebola. | Between 600 and 700 UK defence personnel are based in Sierra Leone as part of efforts to tackle the largest ever outbreak of Ebola. |
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said there were stringent procedures in place, but there was "always a level of risk". | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said there were stringent procedures in place, but there was "always a level of risk". |
Mark Francois, the minister for the Armed Forces, praised the "courage and dedication" of those working in Sierra Leone. | Mark Francois, the minister for the Armed Forces, praised the "courage and dedication" of those working in Sierra Leone. |
He added: "The wellbeing of our service personnel remains our overriding priority. | He added: "The wellbeing of our service personnel remains our overriding priority. |
"This includes the individual directly affected and their four colleagues, for whom precautionary measures are now being taken. | "This includes the individual directly affected and their four colleagues, for whom precautionary measures are now being taken. |
"We are very proud of what our servicemen and women are doing and our thoughts are with their five colleagues and their families at this time." | "We are very proud of what our servicemen and women are doing and our thoughts are with their five colleagues and their families at this time." |
'Close contact' | 'Close contact' |
Contact tracing identified the four cases of "recent close contact" with the diagnosed woman, Public Health England said. | Contact tracing identified the four cases of "recent close contact" with the diagnosed woman, Public Health England said. |
The three being flown to the UK today will be taken to the special isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London. | The three being flown to the UK today will be taken to the special isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London. |
It is where two British nurses infected with Ebola - William Pooley and Pauline Cafferkey - were successfully treated. | It is where two British nurses infected with Ebola - William Pooley and Pauline Cafferkey - were successfully treated. |
The two who are still being assessed could be flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. | The two who are still being assessed could be flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. |
Prof Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, said: "The UK has robust, well-developed and well-tested systems for managing Ebola virus disease. | Prof Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, said: "The UK has robust, well-developed and well-tested systems for managing Ebola virus disease. |
"All appropriate infection control procedures have, and will continue to be, strictly followed to minimise any risk of transmission." | "All appropriate infection control procedures have, and will continue to be, strictly followed to minimise any risk of transmission." |
Dr Jenny Harries, from Public Health England, added: "There is no risk to the general public's health and the overall risk to the UK continues to be very low." | Dr Jenny Harries, from Public Health England, added: "There is no risk to the general public's health and the overall risk to the UK continues to be very low." |
There have been more than 24,000 cases of Ebola since the outbreak started more than a year ago. Nearly 10,000 people have died. | There have been more than 24,000 cases of Ebola since the outbreak started more than a year ago. Nearly 10,000 people have died. |
Dr Ben Neuman, a virologist at the University of Reading, said flying the patient back to the UK offered the best chance of recovery. | |
"The Royal Free Hospital has a 100% record in treating Ebola cases so far, let's hope that doesn't change. | |
"While the new batch of ZMapp is not yet available, she could be treated with favipiravir, which has shown some early promising results in West African Ebola clinics. | |
"She may also be given antibody-rich serum from Ebola survivors to knock down the amount of virus in her blood while her immune system is learning to fight Ebola." |