British hospitals brace for deadly Ebola virus to arrive there ‘in days

Health chiefs have briefed hospitals on how to cope with Ebola patients as scientists predict that the deadly virus could arrive here in days.

Researchers at Boston Northeastern University predict that there is a 50% chance Ebola will arrive here within the next 16 days, due to Britain being a major transport hub.


The ‘red alert’ warning came as a nurse in Madrid became the first person outside Sierra Leone, LIberia and Guinea to become infected with the virus, which is fatal in up to 70% of cases.
There is no vaccine.

Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said in a memo to NHS staff: ‘This is to update you on Ebola in West Africa, and to remind you of the need to remain vigilant for cases imported to the UK.’

‘It is unlikely but not ­impossible that people infected in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia could arrive in the UK while ­incubating the disease and develop symptoms after their return.’

Davies urged ‘every clinician in England’ to check the travel histories of patients with fever.

David Cameron has ordered a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee to discuss responses to the disease.

Public Health England  announced that Ebola medical advice had been sent to universities, schools and immigration centres.

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global health at Public Health England, said: ‘UK hospitals have a proven record of dealing with imported infectious diseases.’

‘If an Ebola case is repatriated to, or detected in, the UK they would receive appropriate treatment in an isolation unit, with all appropriate protocols promptly activated.’

Dr Paul Cosford, director of health protection at Public Health England, said: ‘The risk of travellers and people working in affected countries contracting Ebola remains low, but PHE continues to keep border staff and medical practitioners informed, and request they remain vigilant for unexplained illness in those who have visited these areas in West Africa.’

‘As part of contingency preparations, PHE has provided primary care and hospital healthcare workers with the latest information about the outbreak and actions to take in the event of a possible case.’