Senior health officials are reassuring those in Manchester and the rest of the UK that the risk of Ebola spreading across the country is ‘very low’.
Thousands have died from the deadly disease already and news of a Spanish nurse becoming infected and an American dying from the virus in recent days have sparked fears it could spread to the UK.
Public Health England (PHE) are reassuring the public however, and are liaising with Manchester Airport to ensure that effective arrangements for detection and management of the disease are in place.
Dr Rosemary McCann, the Local Director of Health Protection in Greater Manchester for Public Health England, explained that Manchester’s health care facilities have the necessary measures in place to handle an Ebola outbreak.
“The risk of Ebola in England remains very low,” she said.
“Through existing emergency preparedness planning and multiagency working, PHE in Greater Manchester is working alongside key partners including NHS England and the ambulance service to ensure there are robust plans in place should a patient with suspected Ebola present to health services.”
Ebola, a virus that originated in West Africa has plumaged through the region claiming nearly 4,000 lives.
First discovered in 1976, the highly infectious disease is spread through contact with bodily fluids.
And PHE has remained in constant communication with medical practitioners in the UK to ensure they are prepared should an outbreak occur.
Dr McCann added: “National guidance has been prepared for GPs and hospitals across the country on identifying and managing potential cases.”
Image courtesy of European Commission, with thanks
