The Government's emergency committee is to discuss how to tackle the "new and emerging" threat of ebola, as doctors in Britain were put on alert to spot symptoms of the deadly disease.
The outbreak is the largest in history, with the virus killing more than 670 people in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria since February.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has told Sky News no British nationals have been affected by the outbreak so far, and there are no cases in the UK.
He said: "However the Prime Minister does regard it as a very serious threat and I will be chairing a Cobra meeting later today to assess the situation and look at any measures that we need to take either in the UK, or in our diplomatic posts abroad in order to manage the threat.
"We are very much focused on it as a new and emerging threat which we need to deal with."
Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global health at Public Health England (PHE), said the risk to British travellers and workers was low, but doctors needed to be vigilant.
Dr McCloskey said: "The continuing increase in cases, especially in Sierra Leone, and the importation of a single case from Liberia to Nigeria is a cause for concern as it indicates the outbreak is not yet under control.
"We have alerted UK medical practitioners about the situation in West Africa and requested they remain vigilant for unexplained illness in those who have visited the affected area."
"People who have returned from affected areas who have a sudden onset of symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat and general malaise within three weeks of their return should immediately seek medical assistance."
The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Mark Walport, has told the Daily Telegraph that ebola was "potentially a major threat" to Britain due to the increasingly "interconnected" nature of the world.
British Airways, which flies to Sierra Leone and Nigeria, said in a statement: "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority.
"We fully comply with the guidance provided by local health authorities and continue to monitor the situation closely."
Health workers tackling the outbreak have been particularly vulnerable to ebola, which can have a fatality rate of up to 90%.
Infection results from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and tissues of infected animals or people.
Those most at risk are health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick and dead patients.
Infection has been recorded through the handling of infected chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead.
The initial symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some instances, both internal and external bleeding.
Symptoms can take up to 21 days to show, and there is no treatment or vaccine.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-doctors-warned-check-ebola-043309024.html
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