Volunteers transferred to UK following Ebola infection scare

 
Precautionary step: it is believed protective clothing an Australian nurse was wearing became damaged (Picture: EPA)
Alexandra Rucki17 January 2015

Two volunteers have been airlifted to the UK after potentially coming into contact with the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone.

Authorities said the patients have not been diagnosed with Ebola and the move is a “highly precautionary step”.

An Australian nurse is among the patients who were airlifted to Gatwick Airport on Thursday evening. It is believed her protective clothing was punctured while working in an Ebola hot-spot.

A spokesman said the two patients have not been diagnosed with Ebola and do not currently have any symptoms.

Ebola nurse: Pauline Cafferkey is transported to the Royal Free Hospital in London

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."

Meanwhile a patient admitted to hospital in Scotland yesterday after returning from Ebola-hit west Africa has tested negative for the killer virus.

NHS Lothian said the patient, reported to be a woman, was screened for infection at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital after reporting a raised temperature, but tested negative.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the Australian nurse will undergo observation in the United Kingdom following a "low risk clinical incident" at the Australian-managed Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in Sierra Leone.

In a statement it said: "The nurse was transferred to the United Kingdom consistent with the guarantees secured by the Australian government as a condition to establishing the treatment centre.

"The Australian-funded ETC has strict infection prevention protocols in place, and the safety of staff and patients is paramount."

The ETC has a capacity of 38 beds and has so far seen 18 patients recover from the disease.

Public Health England (PHE) said the risk to the public remains low.

Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey is still being treated for Ebola at London's Royal Free Hospital.

The volunteer from Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, is in a stable condition after being taken off the critical list this week.

She remains in an isolation unit after contracting the disease while helping patients in Sierra Leone with Save the Children.

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