British Ebola nurse ‘no longer critical and showing signs of improvement’

Doctors have said the British nurse who caught Ebola in Sierra Leone is no longer critically ill and is showing signs of improvement. Pauline Cafferkey is being treated by specialists at the Royal Free Hospital in north London. She remains in isolation after being admitted last month but doctors say she is now getting better. The 39-year old contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone where she had been working as a volunteer for Save The Children.

The Royal Free Hospital is pleased to announce that Pauline Cafferkey is showing signs of improvement and is no longer critically ill. She remains in isolation as she receives specialist care for the Ebola virus.

Statement from the Royal Free Hospital

She was diagnosed after she returned to her home near Glasgow in December. As part of her treatment she has received blood from Will Pooley - the UK’s first Ebola patient - who was also successfully treated at the Royal Free last August. Save The Children is investigating how Ms Cafferkey was infected but has said it may never now for certain exactly how it happened. Health officials are reviewing the UK’s Ebola screening procedures after it emerged she had been cleared to fly from London to Glasgow, despite her temperature being checked seven times after she landed at Heathrow.

We would like to thank all our friends, family and the members of the public who have contacted us with support following Pauline’s diagnosis with Ebola. We have been very touched by the kind words.

Statement from Pauline Cafferkey’s relatives

World Pauline Cafferkey