Patient at North Manchester General tested for Ebola

A patient in North Manchester General Hospital is undergoing a series of tests following travel to West Africa, as a precaution one of which is for Ebola.

Our specially trained doctors and nurses are used to treating such patients, who may have a history of travel to West Africa. The patient is currently in our specialist clinical infectious diseases unit where they are being cared for in isolation, away from other patients.

Public Health England can confirm it has received a sample for Ebola testing relating to a patient presently at North Manchester General Hospital with a history of travel to West Africa. Ebola is considered unlikely but testing is being done as a precaution, as is our usual practice in these circumstances. We are confident that all appropriate actions are being taken to protect the public's health.

As a precaution the patient is being kept in isolation until blood test results are available.

It is not possible for PHE to provide any details on individuals being tested prior to the test result being known.