British healthcare worker tests positive for Ebola in DRC, evacuated to UK

A British healthcare worker who tested positive for Ebola while supporting a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is being medically evacuated to the United Kingdom for specialist treatment.

The patient is reportedly in a stable condition, with British authorities activating emergency medical arrangements to ensure a safe transfer to a specialist infectious disease facility.

According to Reuters, the healthcare worker was sent to the DRC by a humanitarian organisation to assist with the country’s ongoing Ebola outbreak response.

The patient’s identity and the organisation they were working for have not been disclosed.

The UK Government confirmed that the British national had tested positive for Ebola and reassured the public that the risk of infection within the country remained low.

“The risk to the UK public from Ebola remains low,” a government spokesperson said on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Patient to receive specialist treatment

According to an official document, the healthcare worker was expected to arrive in Britain on Wednesday or Thursday before being transported by specialist ambulance to a high-consequence infectious disease unit.

British authorities said established procedures for managing Ebola infections had been activated.

The government does not anticipate a serious public health impact from the case or disruption to international travel and trade.

Reuters reported that Britain has recorded only four confirmed imported Ebola cases since 1976, highlighting how uncommon such infections have been in the country.

DRC battling major Ebola outbreak

The medical evacuation comes as the DRC continues to battle a major Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the outbreak was declared in May 2026 and has become the largest recorded outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease.

By 4 October, the DRC had recorded 8 603 confirmed cases and 4 148 confirmed deaths, according to figures published by the UK Government.

The outbreak has affected several provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tshopo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in May.

The disease has also spread beyond the DRC, with confirmed infections reported in other African countries.

Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials.

According to the WHO, the disease has an average fatality rate of approximately 50%, although this varies between outbreaks.