Symbolic imageBritish health worker evacuated as WHO backs two Bundibugyo vaccine trials
A British health worker infected with Ebola in Congo is being flown to the UK. The WHO approved trials of two vaccines designed for the Bundibugyo strain.
The UK government said on Wednesday, 4 November, that the patient, sent by a humanitarian organisation to help the outbreak response, is in stable condition. The worker is expected to arrive by Thursday and be moved to a high-consequence infectious disease unit. It is the first case of a British national infected in this outbreak, and the government says the risk to the UK public remains low. WHO expert groups recommended the two trials on Monday. The vaccines were developed by the University of Oxford with the Serum Institute of India and Moderna, and Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research leads the trial, with results expected in early 2027. Africa CDC counts 10,444 confirmed cases, and more than 5,300 people have died.
WHO urges end to travel curbs
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked countries to lift travel restrictions, saying they punish states for doing the right thing and discourage transparent reporting. Kenya has reported nine cases including two deaths, and Nigeria one case, according to the WHO.
Israel: suspected cases negative
Israel's Health Ministry said on Wednesday that two isolated travellers returning from Congo tested negative. It still advises against travel to Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.