Jersey working with UK to monitor Ebola outbreak

Health authorities in Jersey have confirmed they are working with UK officials to monitor the Ebola outbreak in central Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said there had been 600 suspected cases across the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries and 139 suspected deaths. Numbers are expected to rise, given the time taken to detect the virus.

The WHO, which declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday, said it could take up to nine months before a vaccine against the Bundibugyo species was ready.

A spokesperson for Public Health Jersey said the risk to the wider UK and Jersey population was low.

The department also said it was "not aware of any Jersey residents affected by this current situation".

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