Has Ebola Claimed Its First British Victim? - UK Man Dies With Ebola Symptoms

According to a report on Mailonline, a British man has died of suspected Ebola Virus in the Macedonian capital of Skopje despite not having been to Africa, but doctors are also investigating whether he died after a drinking binge. If confirmed, the unnamed 58-year-old is the first British victim of the Ebola outbreak that has killed thousands in West Africa and has spread to North America and Europe. Dr Jovanka Kostovska, Macedonia's head of infection control, said the Briton had been suffering from fever, vomiting and internal bleeding for three days in his £39-a-night hotel, which has been sealed off by armed police.

'These are all symptoms of Ebola, which raises suspicions with this patient, We got information from several places that the patient frequently and in large quantities consumed alcohol, which can give a similar clinical picture and other diseases'. A second man, 72, a friend of the deceased, has also shown symptoms of Ebola, She added.

Macedonian officials said last night the unnamed victim had flown the Skopje directly from Britain and had not been to any countries known to be battling Ebola outbreaks. It raises the terrifying possibility that he contracted the disease in the UK or Macedonia. The 58-year-old Briton had stayed in his hotel room for three days with severe stomach ache but was rushed to hospital at 3pm yesterday but died within 90 minutes. Paramedics who treated him have also been quarantined.

The UK Foreign Office says it is investigating the incident. So far the epidemic, the worst on record since Ebola was discovered in 1976, has claimed 3,800 lives and infected at least 8,000 people. Public Health England said it believed it was 'unlikely' that the death was caused by the virus but investigations were continuing.

Dr Brian McCloskey, of Public Health England, said: 'Public Health England is aware there are unconfirmed reports of a British national dying in Macedonia, who may have exhibited some symptoms compatible with Ebola. We understand Ebola to be unlikely as the cause of death but will continue to work with partners to investigate.'

Source: MailOnline