Health chiefs ‘prepared’ for Ebola virus

Health chiefs across Nottinghamshire say they are prepared to deal with any cases of the Ebola virus - as screening started this week for those entering the country from affected regions.
The ebola virusThe ebola virus
The ebola virus

Passengers entering through Heathrow Terminal One will have their temperature taken, complete a risk questionnaire and have contact details recorded.

The incurable bug – which causes bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose – has killed more than 4,000 people in West Africa since the start of the year.

Health organisations have been on high alert this week after it emerged a nurse in Madrid had become the first person to contract Ebola outside Africa.

The ebola virusThe ebola virus
The ebola virus

The risk of an Ebola outbreak in the UK is “very low”, according to the Government.

Amanda Sullivan, chief officer of NHS Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group told Chad: “GPs and health care providers across the area are well prepared about what to do in the event of a patient presenting with the signs and symptoms of Ebola.

“The risk is low but we are continually working with colleagues in Public Health England and would reassure people that there are robust infection control and disease control systems permanently in place which are regularly tested and proven to be effective across the UK.”

Doctors across Nottinghamshire have been told to look out for signs of the Ebola virus among patients.

EBOLA SYMPTOMS

An infected person will typically develop a fever, headache, sore throat and intense joint and muscle pain. These symptoms start suddenly, between two and 21 days after becoming infected, but usually after five to seven days. Diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash, stomach pain and impaired kidney and liver function follow. The patient then bleeds internally – and may also bleed from the ears, eyes, nose or mouth.