RESIDENTS with concerns over the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa have received guidance from a South Bucks council this week, who say plans are in place if a major emergency occurred.

South Bucks District Council has released a statement on their website which appears to ease concerns by saying the UK has some of the best public health protection systems in the world.

They said: “You will have seen and heard lots about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The UK has some of the best public health protections systems in the world and the risk from Ebola in the UK remains low.

“Robust and well-tested systems are in place to deal with any suspected case and enhanced screening arrangements at main ports of entry for people travelling from affected regions (Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea) offer additional protection.

“Contingency planning and wider resilience training is ongoing and advice is being issued to medical professionals across the country.”

Following from the statement, SBDC spokesman, Rachel Prance, said: “Whilst there are currently no cases of Ebola in the UK, councils have a key role in providing advice and guidance on public health issues.

“We work closely with other authorities to ensure that our residents have access to relevant and current information and that we have an emergency plan in place which would be activated if a major emergency was to occur.”

For more information, please visit www.southbucks.gov.uk