Heathrow, Gatwick and Eurostar to implement "enhanced screening"
People travelling to the UK from regions affected by Ebola will be subject to "enhanced screening", following advice from the chief medical officer.
So far, Ebola has claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people in West Africa.
According to a Downing Street spokesperson, screening will initially be implemented at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Eurostar terminals.
Trained medical personnel will assess passengers' recent travel history, contacts and onward travel arrangements. Medical assessments are also possible and passengers will be advised as to what action to take if they develop symptoms.
It was previously confirmed that the UK would not carry out Ebola screenings, as this was not recommended by the World Health Organisation. Ebola has since been confirmed in a Spanish nurse and a patient travelling to the US from Liberia.
The chief medical officer explained: "Although the risk to the UK remains low, in view of the concern about the growing number of cases, it is right to consider what further measures could be taken, to ensure that any potential cases arriving in the UK are identified as quickly as possible.
"Rapid access to healthcare services by someone infected with Ebola is not only important for their health but also key to reducing the risk of transmission to others."
Image © CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith, Wikimedia Commons
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