Could the Ebola Virus Reach The UK?

This year one of the biggest stories in heath news and in fact world news is the outbreak of the Ebola virus. Notably, this outbreak has seen the biggest surge in infections and fatalities in human history. The Ebola virus is known to cause the most unpleasant of symptoms, from vomiting and fatigue to bleeds from the eyes and nose ('internal and external bleeding'). As of 27th July 2014, the virus has claimed the lives of 660 people in areas with weak healthcare systems such as Sierra Leone and Liberia. The high mortality rate of around 90% shows how potent the virus really is. Even healthcare staff clothed in complete overalls have been known to be infected. Currently there is no cure for the disease - the only appropriate action for healthcare services is to isolate the infected and transfer them into intensive care.

The UK foreign secretary Philip Hammond has described to the BBC that this outbreak is a "threat" to the UK. Very urban areas in sub-sahrhan African countries have been the most affected, so perhaps the virus could strike an impact in the UK or other Western countries with built-up areas.

The virus is able to be transmitted through bodily fluids and faecal matter, it means the virus can be contained more easily than airborne diseases in areas where people are in close proximity of each other. One of the most discussed environments for the virus to be transmitted in passenger planes. Commercial flights will only carry a few toilet facilities for passengers to use. It follows that there is a risk many people could become infected through use of one toilet facility.

Recently, it was reported that one man from Liberia who showed signs of the Ebola virus was permitted to board a plane to Nigeria. Nigeria hadn't reported any cases of the virus up until the man arrived in Nigeria and died shortly after in a isolation ward due to infection. It is even confirmed he vomited whilst on the plane, and despite having 'high fever', he boarded the flight.

So how is this outbreak being 'controlled'? As mentioned, the infected will need have an accurate diagnosis followed by isolation in hospital. This is primarily to reduce the chances of the virus claiming another host. Appropriate sanitation will also need to be ensured to minimise the exposure of bodily fluids or faecal matter to the environment.

In my view, an outbreak in the UK will be able to be controlled more effectively than in less equipped areas in Africa. Also higher standards of sanitation and healthcare would mean reduced risks of transmission between individuals.


Credit to Adam Withnall and Tomas Jivanda who write for The Independent. Links to articles in The Independent:

Published 26th July 

Published 27th July

Published 30th July