Humanitarian worker in UK hospital after 'potential exposure to Ebola'

A humanitarian worker is being assessed in a London hospital following potential exposure to Ebola, health officials say.

The UK resident had been treating Ebola patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the UK Health Security Agency.

The DRC has since May grappled with the fastest-growing epidemic of the disease on record.

An evacuation was arranged "following a potential healthcare-related exposure to Ebola", the UKHSA added.

"The individual is not currently displaying any symptoms and remains well, but as a precautionary measure they have been evacuated on a flight chartered solely for the evacuation," it said.

"They are now being assessed and monitored in isolation by infectious disease specialists at a London hospital."

The incubation period of Ebola ranges from two to 21 days, the UKHSA said, adding that the individual "will be closely monitored and required to isolate throughout this period".

Richard Pebody, the agency's director of epidemic and emerging infections, said: "The risk to the general public remains low. This individual has been transferred out of an abundance of caution, and we're pleased they remain well."

It comes as ‌the number of ‌confirmed Ebola cases ​in the DRC increased ​to 2,423, including 967 deaths, according to government ​data.

The Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, and has no approved vaccine or treatment.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) warned last week the virus was spreading faster than efforts to contain it.

"Every ‌delay costs lives," said Trish Newport, MSF's emergency programme manager. "We are still chasing the outbreak instead of staying ahead of it."

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Ebola is highly contagious and spreads among humans through contact with bodily fluids - such as vomit, blood or semen - and with contaminated surfaces and materials.

The disease is rare but severe and often fatal.

(c) Sky News 2026: Humanitarian worker in UK hospital after 'potential exposure to Ebola'