NHS staff and airports told to prepare for possible UK Ebola outbreak

The WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), caution is now advised regarding potential infections.

Posters have been plastered across airports and stations across the UK in a bid to warn the public of how the disease, which currently has no cure, is spreading.

As reported by The Sun, the UKHSA has advised GPs and hospitals to ensure they have sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) in place to manage potential Ebola cases.

Following reports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo of 60 deaths and 344 cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with neighbouring countries including Uganda also reporting confirmed cases.

The health service has warned the NHS to be alert to anyone they encounter who has been to the DRC within 21 days of attending the practice or hospital.

Additionally, they have been warned of the potential symptoms of Ebola, such as fever and unexplained bleeding.

Symptoms of Ebola can be fatal, with common signs including things like a rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain leading to multi-organ failure, neurological sequelae [neurological after effects] and death.

Internal or external bleeding may also occur, which can then be seen coming out of a patient’s nose, gums, or genitalia, per the NHS.

However, with a 21-day incubation period, a person may not realise they have Ebola until some of the more serious symptoms occur.

According to the alert, anyone who develops symptoms must be isolated.

“The number of staff in contact with the patient should be restricted, and relatives and visitors must not enter the room,” the alert says.

“Ensure relevant teams within your organisation are aware of the information in this urgent public health message (UPHM).”

It adds: “This particularly applies to microbiology, virology or infectious disease teams but also infection prevention and control (IPC), urgent care, emergency departments, acute medicine, obstetrics, paediatrics and primary care [GP surgeries].”

Ebola is contracted via "direct contact with blood, secretions or other body fluids of an infected person, or indirect contact with contaminated environments or materials," according to the UK Health Security Agency.

Fortunately, it is not thought to have signs of being a ‘natural airborne transmission’.