Ebola spreads to Scotland: First case of deadly virus confirmed at hospital in Glasgow
A healthcare worker at a hospital in Glasgow has tested positive for Ebola – the deadly disease that has killed thousands of people in west Africa since December 2013.
The worker, reportedly female, flew back to the Scottish city from Sierra Leone last night. Sierra Leone is one of the three countries most affected by the epidemic, and the worker had gone out there to help tackle the problem.
They arrived at their final destination after stopping off in both Casablanca and London Heathrow airports, and made the journey aboard a British Airways flight. They touched down in Glasgow at around 11.30pm on Sunday.
After complaining of feeling unwell, the patient was admitted to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning, and was placed into isolation at 7.50am.
Treatment is now being administered at Glasgow's Gartnavel Hospital, according to the Scottish government. NHS Scotland said infectious diseases procedures had been put into effect.
Following the news, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Our first thoughts at this time must be with the patient diagnosed with Ebola and their friends and family. I wish them a speedy recovery.
"Scotland has been preparing for this possibility from the beginning of the outbreak in West Africa and I am confident that we are well prepared."
Sturgeon has arranged a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Committee to determine next steps, and she has also spoken to David Cameron.
All possible contacts of the patients are now being investigated, and anyone thought to be at risk will be contacted and closely monitored.