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Risk of virus entering north 'very low'

THE risk of the Ebola virus entering Northern Ireland remains very low, the Public Health Agency has said.

The agency said because the virus is not airborne, only people exposed to the blood or body fluids of Ebola sufferers or animals infected by the disease are at risk.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, from the Public Health Agency (PHA), said although the risk to the public in Northern Ireland is very low, volunteers and medics working in countries affected by the disease are at risk. "If you have travelled and stayed in the areas where Ebola cases have been recently reported and you become ill within 21 days of returning home (fever, headache, achiness, sore throat, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, or red eyes), seek medical attention as soon as possible and mention your travel history," she said. People entering Britain or the north are not tested for Ebola and there are no plans to introduce screening.