Redhill: Aid Worker Leaves Hospital

18 January 2015, 10:45

An aid worker, who may have come into contact with Ebola, has left the East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, where doctors were carrying out clinical tests.

The volunteer will now have to take their temperature twice daily for the next three weeks. They will also have to avoid long-distance travel and going anywhere where they cannot easily and rapidly obtain medical help if they become unwell.

Public Health England says the worker has not been diagnosed with Ebola and does not currently have any symptoms but may have come into contact with the disease.

A spokesperson for Public Health England said: "PHE can confirm that, as a highly precautionary measure, a volunteer who had potential contact with the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone, has been transported to the UK for assessment and monitoring."

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."