The Newshound

British healthcare worker tests positive for Ebola in DR Congo and is to be flown to Britain for specialist treatment

An Ebola isolation tent in Nigeria. The Bundibugyo strain driving the DRC outbreak, which has killed more than 5,100 people, has already spread beyond the DRC to Kenya and Nigeria.
An Ebola isolation tent in Nigeria. The Bundibugyo strain driving the DRC outbreak, which has killed more than 5,100 people, has already spread beyond the DRC to Kenya and Nigeria.

A British healthcare worker deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by a humanitarian organisation to support the outbreak response has tested positive for Ebola and is expected to be flown back to Britain on Wednesday or Thursday. The Foreign Office confirmed the case and said the risk to the UK public remains low. The patient is in stable condition and, on arrival, will be taken by specialist ambulance to a high-consequence infectious disease unit.

The DRC outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain with a fatality rate of around 49 per cent, has killed more than 5,100 people from over 10,500 confirmed cases across eight provinces since May.

No approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain, which has already spread beyond the DRC to Kenya and Nigeria.

Experts warn the outbreak 'poses a threat worldwide', with France having confirmed a case in June involving a humanitarian doctor who had travelled from the DRC.

MoreBBC NewsUK national tests positive for Ebola virus in DR CongoDaily MailBritish person tests positive for Ebola after contracting in DR CongoThe GuardianBritish healthcare worker with Ebola to be evacuated from DRC to UK, document showsLBCBritish citizen tests positive for Ebola in DR CongoThe IndependentFirst British citizen tests positive for Ebola since start of DR Congo outbreakMetroBritish citizen tests positive for deadly Ebola virus in DR CongoThe IndependentBritish citizen tests positive for Ebola in Democratic Republic of CongoThe SunBrit tests positive for Ebola in Congo as experts warn rapidly growing outbreak ‘poses threat worldwide’GB NewsBritish citizen tests positive for Ebola in DR Congo as outbreak rages in AfricaThe IndependentCould Ebola reach the UK? A microbiologist explains the risk
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →