NHS. UK: A case of Ebola has now been confirmed in the UK, but
the risk to the general public remains very low. Ebola can only be
transmitted by direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an
infected person.
The UK case – in a healthcare worker in Scotland who arrived in
Glasgow from Sierra Leone on Sunday – has been confirmed by the Scottish
government. The patient was placed in isolation at Glasgow's Gartnavel
Hospital and has been transferred for specialised care at the Royal Free
Hospital in London.
The healthcare worker left Sierra Leone on December 28 and was a
passenger on flight AT596 from Freetown to Casablanca and flight AT0800
from Casablanca to London. They then transferred at Heathrow to flight
BA1478 to Glasgow.
The risk of infection to other passengers on the flights is
considered extremely low. However, as a precaution, Public Health
England is arranging for all passengers and crew on the flight from
Casablanca to Heathrow to be provided with health information.
Passengers who were sitting in the vicinity of the healthcare worker
on these flights will be contacted and followed up. Health Protection
Scotland is carrying out a similar exercise for the passengers on the
Heathrow to Glasgow flight.
The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has reported that a second patient in Scotland is being tested for Ebola.
There are also reports that a patient is being tested for Ebola at
Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. The patient, who is now in isolation,
has recently returned from West Africa and reported to the hospital this
morning.
In a joint statement, the hospital and Public Health England said: "A
patient has been admitted to Royal Cornwall Hospital and is currently
undergoing a series of tests – one of which is for Ebola.
"We do not expect the results to be known for at least 24 hours and
in the meantime the patient is being looked after in isolation,
following nationally agreed guidelines and protocols to protect the
health of our staff and other patients.
"Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has been following national
guidance around Ebola and made plans in line with advice from Public
Health England and NHS England."
The UK has well-established and practised infection control
procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease, and
these will be strictly followed to minimise the risk of transmission.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, said: "Our
thoughts are with this individual who, along with other NHS and public
health colleagues, has been doing a fantastic job saving lives.
"The English and Scottish governments and health authorities are
working together to make sure that this individual receives the best
possible care. UK hospitals have a proven track record of dealing with
imported infectious diseases.
"It is important to be reassured that although a case has been identified, the overall risk to the public continues to be low.
"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. The UK system was prepared, and reacted as
planned, when this case of Ebola was identified."
More than 19,000 cases of Ebola have been confirmed in West Africa, with over 7,500 deaths – a mortality rate of around 40%.
Outbreaks of Ebola are nothing new, but health professionals are concerned about the size of the outbreak.
Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum.