First case of Ebola in France: expert comment

Following the news that a medic working in the DRC has returned to France and now has Ebola, Dr Simon Clarke, microbiologist at the University of Reading, provides expert comment:

“While this case is unfortunate, it’s not surprising or the first such incidence of medical workers who have been in contact with people infected with Ebola returning to their home countries. In 2014 a nurse returned to the UK from Sierra Leone with Ebola but received successful treatment.

“Transmission occurs only through direct contact with the bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, or sweat, of an infected person who is actively showing symptoms. Because of this strict requirement, casual contact in a well-sanitised environment poses a very low risk.

“However, the localised nature of its spread does not mean Ebola is physically locked within Africa. In our hyper-connected world, there is no biological or geographic barrier preventing the virus from escaping the continent. An infected individual could easily board an international flight during the virus's 2-to-21-day incubation period before showing any symptoms or failing airport temperature checks. Modern jet travel effectively shrinks the globe transforming localised outbreaks into worldwide threats within the span of a single incubation period.

“The risk of Ebola in the Europe remains extremely low because the virus is not airborne and those countries maintain world-class healthcare isolation protocols to rapidly contain any imported cases. This highlights the need to support local healthcare systems to effectively deal with outbreaks where they occur. The UK's best line of defence against another crippling pandemic in our own country is to support others with expertise and resources.”

Notes to editors: 

Dr Clarke is available for interviews upon request. Contact the University of Reading Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk