British experts to tackle Ebola outbreak in Congo

British experts are being sent to help tackle the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government has announced.

Two epidemiologists and a data scientist will help track the disease in the African country that has 14 confirmed cases, the Department for International Development (Dfid) said on Friday.

An experimental vaccine, funded in part by UK aid, will be distributed to curb the spread of the virus.

Ebola killed more than 11,000 people in a 2014-15 outbreak in west Africa, according to the World Health Organisation.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: "The UK's robust response to the Ebola outbreak demonstrates how seriously we take such health threats around the world - and how quickly we act to contain them.

"Our contributions are helping to limit the spread of Ebola, making the world - including the UK - a safer place."

Advertisement