Ebola Outbreak: London Woman Tests Negative for Deadly Virus

Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed that a woman tested for Ebola at a London hospital after returning from West Africa does not have the virus.

"It is important to remember that as yet, there has not been a case of Ebola diagnosed in the UK and the infection can only be transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids - such as blood, vomit or faeces - of an infected person," a PHE spokeswoman said.

"We have advised all front line medical practitioners and NHS call handlers to be alert to signs and symptoms of Ebola in those returning from affected areas and following such advice we would expect to see an increase in testing."

UK health officials have tested approximately 160 people for the tropical virus since June this year, all of whom have tested negative.

Nurse William Pooley was the first British national to contract the tropical disease while he was working in Sierra Leone. He has recovered after a period of treatment and returned to West Africa to carry on with his work due to his increased immunity after beating the virus.

The virus has claimed over 4,900 lives since December 2013, with most of the deaths occurring in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Many countries are banning flights from Ebola-hit nations as a result of growing concern that the disease could be spread to other countries if people from affected areas are allowed to travel.

Fears of contagion are also leading to a surge in racist and discriminatory attacks worldwide.