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Ebola outbreak could 'reach the UK', Africa's top health official warns, as cases in Congo pass 10,000

An Ebola isolation tent in Nigeria, as the Swiss diplomat's wife — Nigeria's first case in the outbreak — was flown home to Switzerland with 52 contacts still under watch.
An Ebola isolation tent in Nigeria, as the Swiss diplomat's wife — Nigeria's first case in the outbreak — was flown home to Switzerland with 52 contacts still under watch.

Africa CDC director-general Dr Jean Kaseya has compared the Ebola outbreak to Covid-19, warning that countries which assumed "zero risk" in the pandemic's early days later became hotspots. The Bundibugyo strain, responsible for the outbreak, currently has no licensed vaccine or treatment, and nearly half of all infected people have died. One case has already been recorded in France after a returning humanitarian worker tested positive in June.

The UK Health Security Agency says the risk to the British public remains low, with screening in place for returning healthcare and humanitarian workers.

Trump's administration has awarded $36 million to New York-based research organisation IAVI to develop an experimental Bundibugyo vaccine, with Phase I trials expected early next year.

Experts warn the outbreak is at a dangerously high plateau — not rising exponentially, but not falling either — and some fear it could become the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

MoreMetroTop health official says the Ebola outbreak could reach the UKThe IndependentExperts warn of wider spread as Ebola outbreak reaches plateauDaily MailEbola could 'spread globally': Experts reveal when virus could hit UKHuffPost UKWhat We Know So Far About Africa's Ebola Outbreak And UK RiskPeopleOfficials Warn Ebola Could Spread Like COVID as Cases Surpass 10KYahoo News UKAirlines Urge US to Rethink Ebola Travel Declaration RulesPoliticoTrump admin bets on experimental Ebola vaxReutersAirline groups urge US CDC to reconsider Ebola declaration requirements
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