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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 14, 2014 6:01 PM IST
London's Heathrow airport is ready to start screening for Ebola virus among passengers flying into Britain from countries at risk, media reported Tuesday. Britain is the first European Union country to start such screenings. Screening will start at Terminal 1, before being extended to other terminals by the end of the week, BBC reported. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
In September, around 1,000 people arrived in the UK from Ebola affected countries in West Africa. People flying in from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will be identified by Border Force officers. Nurses and consultants from Public Health England will then carry out the actual screening. Passengers will have their temperatures taken, complete a risk questionnaire and have contact details recorded. (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in humans)
If the test is positive, the patient will be transferred to an isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London. It is the centre that cared for the British nurse William Pooley, who contracted Ebola in West Africa. Hospitals in Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield are on standby to offer similar facilities if there is a sudden surge in Ebola cases. A total of 26 isolation beds could be arranged for at the four hospitals. (Read: 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection)
Passengers deemed to be at high risk due to contact with Ebola patients, but who are displaying no symptoms, will be contacted daily by Public Health England. Ebola has killed more than 4,000 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
What is the Ebola incubation period?
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a serious clinical condition caused by a virus. Also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, the virus spreads through close contact with the body fluids of an infected person. Ebola is considered to be a clinical emergency all over the world and hence it is important to be aware of its symptoms and incubation period to prevent health issues.
The incubation period of the Ebola virus is 2 21 days which means that a person infected with the virus takes around 2 to 21 days to show symptoms of this disease. Although in most cases the symptoms appeared after 8-10 days after being infected with the virus. It is in this period of incubation that the virus attacks the immune system. Read more about What is the Ebola incubation period?
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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