A person who recently returned from west Africa is being tested in a Northern Irish hospital for Ebola, it has been confirmed.
The Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast has isolated the patient according to the Public Health Agency on Sunday.
The patient has already tested positive for malaria while a blood sample will confirm whether they have also contracted Ebola.
In line with new safety measures, nursing staff at the west Belfast hospital are wearing protective clothing while caring for the patient.
“The patient being treated in the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast, has tested positive for malaria, and an Ebola test is being done as a precautionary measure,” a PHA statement said. “The PHA is liaising with colleagues and has advised that there is no increased risk to the wider community.”
The PHA stressed that the likelihood of contracting Ebola was extremely low unless the person had come into contact with blood or body fluids of a symptomatic person, adding that the risk to the public was low.
The agency added that it was in contact with the rest of the health service in the region.
A further update is expected on Monday afternoon at the earliest, when results of the blood tests are available.
Over the past two weeks, staff in hospitals across Northern Ireland have taken part in mock exercises to deal with a major outbreak of the disease.
