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A woman admitted to a London hospital last night is being tested for the Ebola virus, it has been confirmed.

The patient has a history of travel in west Africa and is described as suffering from a "haemorrhagic fever".

It is thought she presented herself to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, with a high temperature.

A spokesperson from St George's Healthcare NHS Trust said: "A patient has been admitted to St George's Hospital with a hemorrhagic fever and is currently undergoing a series of tests, as a precaution one of which is for Ebola.

"The trust has followed national guidance and moved the patient to our clinical infections unit where they are being cared for in isolation, away from other patients. Infection control procedures remain in place while we await the results.

"We are confident that all appropriate actions have been taken by our staff to protect the public and the patient."

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A Public Health England spokesman said: "PHE can confirm it will undertake precautionary tests relating to a patient presently at St George's Hospital in Tooting, who has a history of travel to West Africa.

"Ebola is considered unlikely but testing is being done as a precaution, as is our usual practice in these circumstances. We are confident that all appropriate actions are being taken to protect the public's health.

"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.

"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."