Frontline healthcare workers in Scotland have been briefed about the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.
As the region experiences the largest recorded outbreak of the disease in history, it has emerged that Scots health boards have been warned to be vigilant.
A spokeswoman for Health Protection Scotland (HPS) confirmed that the organisation had written to all Scotland’s NHS boards to update them on the situation.
She said: “HPS wrote to NHS boards in early July to update them on the Ebola outbreak, and to increase awareness of the need to remain vigilant for cases imported to the UK.”
She also said there were “well rehearsed protocols” and plans in place for the investigation and management of any suspected cases in Scotland.
She added: “All frontline healthcare workers in Scotland have been advised about the current upsurge in cases in West Africa.
“Any patients seeking healthcare in Scotland with a history of recent travel to West Africa and presenting with febrile illness will be tested for a number of conditions including malaria and, if appropriate, Ebola infection.
“Doctors are not required to inform NHS boards and HPS unless these tests are confirmed as positive.
“There has never been a case of Ebola identified in Scotland.”
The national health protection agency will continue to monitor the situation daily and communicate with international colleagues to ensure it is up to date with all appropriate and available information.