Two volunteers with potential exposure to Ebola transported to UK for precautionary monitoring

[Pathfinder]

Australian nurse treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone airlifted to UK

By Alexandra Fisher and staff
Updated 37 minutes agoThu 15 Jan 2015, 11:18pm

An Australian nurse treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone has been airlifted to the United Kingdom.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the woman was treating patients at the Australian-run Aspen Medical clinic in Sierra Leone.

DFAT described it as a low-risk incident and said the woman had not been diagnosed with Ebola.

It said her evacuation was a precautionary measure.

However, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she was "concerned" for the woman's welfare.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-...ients-in-sierra-leone-airlifted-to-uk/6021794

 

[Pathfinder]

Press release

Two volunteers with potential exposure to Ebola transported to UK for precautionary monitoring

Fromublic Health England
First published:16 January 2015Part of:Ebola virus: UK government response and Public health

All appropriate public health actions taken to support individuals and protect public health.
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Public Health England (PHE) can confirm that, as a highly precautionary measure, a volunteer who had potential contact with the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone, has been transported to the UK today (16 January 2015) for assessment and monitoring. An additional volunteer, who had potential contact in a separate incident, is also returning today.

The individuals have not been diagnosed with Ebola, do not currently have any symptoms, and their risk of developing the infection remains low. On arrival in the UK, the arrangements are for these individuals to be initially assessed in hospital and subsequently monitored for any symptoms for the remainder of their 21 day incubation periods, in line with standard procedures for returning workers.

Dr Jenny Harries, regional director for PHE, said:

The risk to the public posed by these and indeed any of the returning workers is extremely low. We are confident that all appropriate public health actions have been taken, and will continue to be taken, to support these individuals and to protect the public?s health.

It?s important to remember, in choosing to volunteer, that these individuals have taken a courageous step not only to help those affected in West Africa, but also prevent the spread of Ebola any wider.

Ends

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ransported-to-uk-for-precautionary-monitoring