The first case of Ebola in France has been confirmed, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to deploy a rapid response team to monitor potential spread across the Channel. The patient, a 45-year-old man who recently returned from Guinea, is being treated in isolation at a Paris hospital. French health officials are tracing his contacts, while the UK has activated emergency protocols at ports and airports.
Labour leaders and public health experts warn that wage stagnation and regional inequality could worsen the outbreak's impact, as low-paid workers in precarious jobs may delay seeking medical help. The news comes amid ongoing strikes by French healthcare workers demanding better pay and conditions. The UK's quick response includes enhanced screening for flights from affected regions, but critics say austerity has left the NHS ill-prepared for a major health crisis.
'This is a test of our collective resilience,' said Dr. Emily Thompson of the University of Manchester. 'But without decent wages and investment, the most vulnerable will bear the brunt.
