British health worker diagnosed with Ebola in Sierra Leone

A British military health care worker in Sierra Leone has been diagnosed with the Ebola virus, Public Health England (PHE) announced here on Wednesday.

A PHE spokesperson said medical experts were making sure appropriate care was being delivered.

A decision on whether the individual will be evacuated to the UK for treatment has not yet been made.

The PHE spokesperson added: "Any individuals identified as having had close contact will be assessed and a clinical decision will be made regarding bringing them to the UK."

The worker, who is reportedly female, is the third British citizen to test positive for Ebola since the outbreak began in West Africa.

Between 600 and 700 British servicemen and women are reported to be currently working in Sierra Leone to help in the effort to quell Ebola.

Two other British citizens, nurses Will Pooley and Pauline Cafferkey, made full recoveries from Ebola after being infected with the virus in West Africa.

They were both flown back to the UK and treated at a specialist unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

So far, more than 9,900 people have died from Ebola in the current outbreak, according to the World Health Organization. Endit