The unnamed medic has not been diagnosed with the deadly virus but
has been admitted to the specialist centre at London's Royal Free
Hospital for assessment and is being kept in isolation as a precaution.
No details have been released about the patient, who was treating an Ebola patient when they were pierced by a needle, known medically as a needlestick injury.
British military personnel train for a deployment to Sierra Leone in support of the ebola outbreak in the country
Public Health England (PHE) said the patient is likely to have been
exposed to the Ebola virus but has not been diagnosed with the virus and
does not have symptoms. Their relatives have been informed.
Professor Paul Cosford, PHE’s director for health protection and medical director, said: “Our thoughts are with this person, who has been courageous in helping those affected in West Africa, and in preventing the wider spread of Ebola.
“We have strict, well-tested protocols in place for this eventuality and we are confident that all appropriate actions have been taken to support the healthcare worker concerned and to protect the health of other people.”
The patient individual arrived back into the UK on an RAF
flight today and will be monitored for the remainder of Ebola's 21-day
incubation period, in line with PHE’s standard procedures for returning
healthcare workers.
It was unclear where the worker was based in Sierra Leone, which is one of the countries worst-hit by the disease outbreak that has killed more than 8,600 people so far.
No details have been released about the patient, who was treating an Ebola patient when they were pierced by a needle, known medically as a needlestick injury.
British military personnel train for a deployment to Sierra Leone in support of the ebola outbreak in the country
Public Health England (PHE) said the patient is likely to have been
exposed to the Ebola virus but has not been diagnosed with the virus and
does not have symptoms. Their relatives have been informed.Professor Paul Cosford, PHE’s director for health protection and medical director, said: “Our thoughts are with this person, who has been courageous in helping those affected in West Africa, and in preventing the wider spread of Ebola.
“We have strict, well-tested protocols in place for this eventuality and we are confident that all appropriate actions have been taken to support the healthcare worker concerned and to protect the health of other people.”
It was unclear where the worker was based in Sierra Leone, which is one of the countries worst-hit by the disease outbreak that has killed more than 8,600 people so far.
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