Aircraft and crew isolated after passenger from West Africa collapses at Gatwick
An aircraft and airline crew were isolated at Gatwick after a passenger from the flight collapsed at the airport and was tested for the suspected deadly Ebola virus.
The elderly woman, who flew into Gatwick on Saturday afternoon from The Gambia, later died in hospital.
At least 728 people have died of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone this year, in the worst-ever outbreak of the disease which kills at least half of its victims.
However, the passenger, believed to be in her 70s, for Ebola, tested negative for the virus, said the Department for Health.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the passenger’s symptoms had not suggested she was an Ebola victim but the test was carried out because she had travelled from West Africa, on a Gambia Bird flight.
Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global public health at Public Health England (PHE), said: "There was no health risk to other passengers or crew, as the passenger did not have symptoms during the flight.
"It was considered very unlikely to be a case of Ebola but testing was done as a precaution, and was negative.
"The correct procedures were followed to confirm there was no reason to quarantine the airplane, the passengers or staff. PHE can confirm there was no public health risk around the sad death of this individual."
A Gatwick spokeswoman said the aircraft, as well as some airline and airport staff, were isolated "as a precaution" but that the plane was later cleared for its return journey.
No cases of imported Ebola have ever been reported in the UK.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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