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Doctors say the Ebola outbreak gripping West Africa could spread to neighbouring countries or even Europe.

The epidemic is thought to have begun in Guinea in March, before spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone. It's the worst outbreak of the disease on record, according to the World Health Organisation, who say it has infected 779 people and killed 481.

Dr Bart Janssens, director of operations for Medecins Sans Frontieres described the outbreak as "out of control."

90% Death rate of people infected with Ebola 1201 Number infected in West African epidemic

And now experts fear the disease could soon spread beyond West Africa. At least 1,500 people who have come into contact with those infected have yet to be traced.

And with an incubation period between 2 and 21 days, it's possible for people to be infected without knowing it.

Dr Derek Gatherer, of Lancaster University, told City AM: "I think it's perfectly possible that someone could arrive from an infected area on a plane, particularly from the capital of Guinea or Liberia where there have been a number of cases of the disease. Both have flight links from Europe."

(Image: Getty)

But he told ITV News the UK would be well equipped to deal with a suspected case upon arrival.

"I think provided we were vigilant about Ebola we could catch cases fairly quickly," he said. "If people arrive from West Africa and are unwell, the NHS could treat them immediately."

Cases/Deaths in the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Yesterday, a US citizen was quarantined and tested in Ghana when he fell ill after visiting West African states battling the disease.

A senior Ministry of Health official said the man, who has not been named, has tested negative for Ebola, but is being held in quarantine at Nyaho clinic in Accra.

What is Ebola?

The Ebola virus is among the most lethal diseases known to man. There is no vaccine, no cure, and it kills 90% of infected patients.

Outbreaks typically occur in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. The spread of the disease is worsened by mistrust of western medicine in some African communities.

Ebola cases World Health Organisation

Outbreaks start when the disease is passed to humans from wild animals. It then spreads through communities by direct contact with blood, bodily fluids or corpse of an infected person.

The illness often starts with a fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This develops into vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, failing liver and kidney function and bleeding.