UK humanitarian worker monitored for Ebola in London hospital

Ebola Monitoring for Humanitarian Worker in London

Royal Free Hospital’s High-Risk Unit

The individual, who had been working with a humanitarian organisation supporting the Ebola outbreak response in the DRC, was evacuated to London. The UKHSA stressed that Ebola is not airborne and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. The incubation period of Ebola ranges from two to 21 days, and the individual will be required to isolate throughout, said Richard Pebody, director of epidemic and emerging infections at UKHSA. 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, Pebody said.

The hospital has not been named, but the Royal Free in north London has a high level isolation unit and is the primary national centre for high consequence infectious diseases. The individual, who is a UK resident, remains well but is being assessed and monitored. Ebola symptoms come on suddenly and start like the flu or malaria, with fever, headache and tiredness. As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure. Some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding.

Litvinenko’s Poisoned Legacy

Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has died in London. The hospital treating him confirmed the death of the former KGB officer. A spokesman for the police said inquiries were continuing.

Police investigating how he became ill have previously said that they suspected deliberate poisoning, possibly by Russian security services. A spokesman for London’s University College Hospital said the medical team did everything possible to save his life. Litvinenko, a defector to Britain who was granted asylum and citizenship, is thought to have been poisoned on November 1. He had been investigating the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya. In his final interview, just hours before he fell unconscious, the former intelligence officer remained defiant against the people he believed had poisoned him. I want to survive, just to show them, he told filmmaker and friend Andrei Nekrasov. Mr Nekrasov told the Times that Mr Litvinenko had said: The bastards got me but they won't get everybody.

Unraveling the Mystery

The investigation into the cause of Litvinenko’s condition is ongoing. Investigators are working through potential toxins to see what might have caused the condition. Friends of the former spy believe he was poisoned by Russian security services because of his criticism of President Vladimir Putin’s regime – a claim denied by the Kremlin. A spokesman for the police said the matter is being investigated as an unexplained death and inquiries were continuing. The police are focusing on two meetings Mr Litvinenko had on the day it is said to have happened. The first was at a London hotel where he had tea with a former KGB officer and another Russian man. The second meeting was with Italian academic Mario Scaramella, a former consultant on a commission investigating KGB activities in Italy, at a sushi restaurant in Piccadilly. Mr Litvinenko was subsequently taken ill and later admitted to Barnet General hospital. He was transferred to University College hospital on Friday, around the same time as the police became involved.

Police investigating how he became ill have previously said that they suspected deliberate poisoning and investigators are working through potential toxins. The case is being led by Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit. A spokesman for London’s University College Hospital said: Every avenue was explored to establish the cause of his condition and the matter is now an ongoing investigation being dealt with by detectives from New Scotland Yard. The police spokesman said: Although formal identification has not taken place at this stage, we are satisfied that the deceased is Mr Litvinenko and the matter is being investigated as an unexplained death.