Ebola

Are people in the UK at risk of Ebola?

The risk to the UK population is low. There has never been an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the UK and the underlying infection is not spread through ordinary social contact such as shaking hands or sitting next to someone with the infection. Nor is it spread through airborne particles.

How can you catch Ebola?

People can only become infected with the Ebola virus if they come into contact with the blood, body fluids (such as blood, saliva or vomit) or organs of an infected person. That’s why most people who become infected do so because they have been providing healthcare to infected people without proper precautions.

Is there a public health risk from someone coming into the country having travelled in Sierra Leone, Guinea or Liberia?

Anyone arriving in the UK having been in one of the affected countries who is not showing symptoms is not infectious. There should be no restrictions on their normal activities. They should be free to return to work or school as scheduled and without delay.

Are we going to see an outbreak of Ebola in the UK?

Although it is possible a case could be identified in the UK in a person returning from an affected country, our health system is well set up to identify and deal with it so as to prevent any spread. Ebola causes far more harm in countries with less equipped healthcare facilities. The UK has robust, well-developed and well-tested systems for managing infectious disease.

Why are people in the UK being tested for Ebola?

The Chief Medical Officer has advised all front line medical practitioners to be alert to the possibility of Ebola in those returning from affected areas. Testing for the disease can be undertaken rapidly as necessary. To date, all of those tested have been negative.

What if somebody has symptoms and has travelled to the UK from one of the affected countries?

If somebody becomes unwell with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or rash within 21 days of coming back from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone, you should encourage them to seek medical advice immediately or seek it on their behalf if necessary

They should stay at home and call NHS 111 or 999 (phoning for an ambulance if the symptoms are severe) stating that they have been in an Ebola affected area and describing their symptoms

What is Ebola?

Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe disease – one of a group of diseases known as viral haemorrhagic fevers. It can result in uncontrolled bleeding, causing damage to the patient’s vital organs. It was first recognized in 1976 and since then has caused sporadic outbreaks in several African countries. Other forms of viral haemorrhagic fever have occurred in other parts of the world.

Where is the outbreak?

Since March 2014, there has been an outbreak of Ebola virus disease mainly affecting three countries in West Africa: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone – the largest known outbreak. Cases have also occurred in Nigeria, but so far the cases in Nigeria have been linked to transmission from a single imported case; there is no evidence of wider transmission in that country. 

Is there a treatment for Ebola?

There's currently no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola virus disease, although potential new vaccines and drug therapies are being developed and tested. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care.

For more information about Ebola virus disease, go to NHS Choices.