The RCN has released advice for practice and community nurses who could see a patient showing symptoms of Ebola virus disease.
Speaking to Independent Nurse, the RCN's infection prevention and control nurse advisor Rose Gallagher said: 'We know that patients do present in many settings, not just hospitals, having potentially been exposed to viral haemorrhagic fevers. There is a possibility that a practice nurse could see a patient with the symptoms. However, we don't expect practice nurses to be anymore at risk than any other healthcare worker.'
She added: 'Nurses should contact PHE if they require more information, and seek expert advice if they suspect a patient of having viral haemorrhagic fever.'
PHE has also released clinical guidance for the assessment and management of potential cases of Ebola virus disease.
The guidance has been released in response to the major Ebola outbreak in West Africa and fears that the disease could spread to the UK. However, foreign secretary Phillip Hammond has said that Ebola is not an issue that affects the UK directly at the moment. Since then, a British nurse, William Pooley, who contracted the disease has been flown back to London to receive treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
The Ebola virus is extremely infectious, and is contracted through direct contact with organs or bodily fluids of infected persons and animals.
For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/collections/ebola-virus-disease-clinical-management-and-guidance.