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Ebola: British patient has been evacuated from Sierra Leone Ebola: British patient has arrived at hospital for treatment
(about 3 hours later)
A British military healthcare worker who tested positive for Ebola is being flown to the UK for treatment. A British military healthcare worker infected with Ebola has been admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in London.
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. She was flown back to the UK by the RAF after contracting the virus in Sierra Leone.
A further two colleagues are being assessed in Sierra Leone, and may be flown back in the future. Two of her colleagues were also onboard the flight in case the infection has been passed on through close contact.
A further two colleagues are being assessed in Sierra Leone, and may be flown back in the future. None have been diagnosed with Ebola.
Public Health England said there was no threat to the general public.Public Health England said there was no threat to the general public.
'Courage'
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 flown to the UK will be taken to Royal Free Hospital in London. The infected patient will stay on the hospital's special isolation unit. The suspected pair will be monitored for signs of the infection.
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.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."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."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.""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."