08/23/2014 16:55 GMT -
LONDON, August 23, 2014 (AFP) - A British national who lives in Sierra Leone has tested positive for the Ebola virus, the Department of Health in London said Saturday.
Officials added that they were providing consular assistance to the person, who has not been identified.
Professor John Watson, deputy chief medical officer stressed that the risk posed by Ebola to people living in Britain "continues to be very low".
"Medical experts are currently assessing the situation in Sierra Leone to ensure that appropriate care is provided," he added.
"We have robust, well-developed and well-tested NHS (National Health Service) systems for managing unusual infectious diseases when they arise, supported by a wide range of experts."
The virus has spread through Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, while Nigeria has also been affected, killing a total of 1,427 people since March.
No cure or vaccine is currently available for the virus, which is spread by close contact with body fluids.
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