Ebola in the UK? Northampton hospital confirms treating woman suspected of having virus

Health officials have confirmed reports that a woman, who is suspected of having the Ebola virus, is being treated in Northampton.

18:28 15 January 2015

A woman, who reportedly travelled abroad recently, is suspected of having the Ebola virus. Health officials have confirmed that she is being treated in Northampton.

In a statement, Northampton General Hospital said: “A patient with a suspected case of Ebola was admitted to Northampton General Hospital this evening.

“Tests have now shown that the patient is malaria negative. Ebola is considered unlikely but testing is being done as a precaution, as is usual practice in these circumstances. We are confident that all appropriate actions are being taken to protect the public’s health and ensure there is no risk to patients or staff.”

In November last year, the hospital held an emergency exercise to ensure that it is prepared for a case of Ebola with a member of staff playing the patient.

The hospital's Chief Operating Officer, Deborah Needham, told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo that “everything went to plan, although the exercise did flag up that we could get even better face masks and a newer isolation box to carry blood sample in”.