A British national has tested positive for Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to confirmation by the United Kingdom government.
The BBC reports that the man contracted the virus while in the DRC, while Reuters says arrangements are being made for his medical evacuation to the UK, where he will receive specialist treatment. However, the timing of the evacuation has not been disclosed.
The case marks the first confirmed infection involving a British citizen in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has reportedly claimed more than 5,000 lives.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea.
A UK government spokesperson said established procedures for managing cases of this nature had been activated, assuring that the country was prepared to handle the situation.
