Negative test for suspected Ebola case at Glangwili

The person has been receiving treatment at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen

A patient admitted to hospital in Carmarthenshire with suspected Ebola has tested negative for the virus.

The person went to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen after falling ill at the weekend.

Dr Chris Lines of Public Health Wales confirmed a person, who had recently returned from West Africa, was tested but said the result was negative.

It is not the first time a person has been tested in Wales, but a spokesman said the public risk remained low.

Hywel Dda University Health Board's director of public health Teresa Owen said the patient's admission to the hospital had no impact on other services and patients can continue to access healthcare services as normal.

Ebola is a viral illness with symptoms including a sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, a sore throat, vomiting and bleeding.

The epidemic in West Africa has so far claimed 5,000 lives.

The disease infects humans through close contact with infected animals, such as fruit bats, and can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids.

There have been 160 tests for the disease on people in the UK since the start of June, all of which have proved negative.

Anyone who tests positive for Ebola in Wales would be transferred to one of four designated hospitals in England.