New report highlights continued low risk of Ebola in UK

Public Health has published its first monthly activity summary of the steps it is taking to combat the spread of Ebola in the UK, in light of the continued epidemic in west Africa.

A total of 113 Ebola tests have been undertaken in England to date, with a single infected nurse who was repatriated in August 2014 remaining the only positive case of the disease recorded in the UK so far.

As of midnight on November 30th 2014, 1,301 people have been assessed at ports with enhanced screening operations in England, though these numbers will change in accordance with shifts in travel patterns.

The report pointed out that a rise in the number of people being screened for Ebola does not reflect an increase in the risk of the disease – which remains low – but instead demonstrates the thorough monitoring and surveillance processes in place.

Paul Cosford, director for health protection at Public Health England, said: "We have robust mechanisms in place for detecting and responding to any usual infections within the UK, but ultimately the best possible defence will be ensuring the outbreak in west Africa is brought under control."

The current Ebola epidemic is the largest in known history, with around 14,413 cases and 5,177 deaths having been reported by the World Health Organization.