UK government holds crisis meeting on Ebola virus but says it is ‘most unlikely’ to spread

LONDON – British officials held a crisis meeting Wednesday and warned of a potentially serious threat if the deadly Ebola virus spreads further.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said there are no known cases in Britain, but that the incurable disease is viewed by the government as a possibly serious danger.

After chairing the government’s crisis session, he said it is “most unlikely” the disease would spread in Britain.

He said Britain had “frankly different” infection control systems compared to the countries where the virus has spread.

British health officials are being warned to be vigilant for symptoms of the virus. There are concerns it may spread from West Africa, where the current outbreak has already killed hundreds of people.

British public health official Dr. Brian McCloskey said the risk to British travellers and to Britons working in the countries affected is “very low” but that the outbreak isn’t under control.