A humanitarian worker who had been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been medically evacuated to the UK after a potential healthcare-related exposure to Ebola. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the individual, who is a UK resident and has not been named, has no symptoms and the transfer was purely precautionary.
The individual remains well but is being assessed and monitored at a London hospital, UKHSA said. The hospital has not been named, although the Royal Free in north London has a high level isolation unit and is the primary national centre for high consequence infectious diseases.
The humanitarian worker had been supporting the Ebola outbreak response with a humanitarian organisation. They will be required to isolate throughout the incubation period, which ranges from two to 21 days.
Ebola is a highly dangerous pathogen. Unlike flu or Covid, it is not airborne and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. Symptoms come on suddenly and start like the flu or malaria, with fever, headache and tiredness. As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure. Some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding.
What has UKHSA said about the risk?
UKHSA said the risk to the general public remains low. Richard Pebody, director of epidemic and emerging infections at UKHSA, said:
"The risk to the general public remains low.
"This individual has been transferred out of an abundance of caution, and we're pleased they remain well."
The agency said there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in the UK.
Has Ebola affected the UK before?
There were three confirmed Ebola cases in the UK between 2014 and 2015, and all involved healthcare workers returning from west Africa. All recovered and there was no onward transmission.
How severe is the current outbreak in central Africa?
According to the World Health Organization, as of 19 July the DR Congo government had recorded 2,423 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 967 deaths, since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. The WHO said 469 people had recovered.
Uganda has recorded another 20 confirmed cases and two deaths.
The latest outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there is no vaccine, although several are in development. It has been described as the third-worst outbreak on record by WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Why does DRC keep battling disease outbreaks?
Why does DRC keep battling disease outbreaks?
Key Facts
- A UK resident humanitarian worker was medically evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo after potential Ebola exposure.
- UKHSA said the person has no symptoms and is being monitored at a London hospital.
- There are no confirmed Ebola cases in the UK, and the public risk remains low.
- As of 19 July, the WHO said DR Congo had recorded 2,423 confirmed cases and 967 deaths, with 469 recoveries.
- Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths.
