UK ‘closely monitoring spread of Ebola virus’

The government has stated that it will continue to closely monitor the spread of the Ebola virus worldwide, though it does not believe the issue will directly impact the UK.

People in Guinea first began to experience the spread of the rare but severe disease in March 2014, with the outbreak spreading to countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia in the subsequent months.

A response plan is now being launched by the World Health Organization with a budget of $100 million (59.41 million pounds), but the government has offered assurances that the presence of experienced scientists and doctors in the UK means the risk of it spreading in this country is low.

The Border Force is stepping up its precautions to help ensure the virus does not enter Britain, while travellers to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are advised to follow advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre.

Foreign secretary Philip Hammond said: "We do not, at the moment, think this is an issue that affects the UK directly."

Efforts will also be made by the government to provide aid to the affected nations.