A PATIENT is undergoing tests for the deadly Ebola virus at a Sussex hospital after returning from West Africa.

Public Health England (PHE) confirmed an individual at the Eastbourne District General Hospital is currently undergoing precautionary testing for the disease.

During the current outbreak, which started in December 2013 in Guinea, the virus has claimed over 9000 people’s lives.

There has only been one confirmed case in the UK so far throughout the current outbreak.

A PHE spokeswoman said: “PHE can confirm it has received a sample for precautionary Ebola testing, involving an individual in Eastbourne District General Hospital with a history of travel to West Africa. Ebola is considered unlikely but testing is being done as a precaution.

"Based on the evidence-based risk assessment protocol, we are confident that all appropriate actions are being taken to ensure there is no risk to public health.

“We have advised all front line medical practitioners dealing with patients to be alert to possible signs and symptoms of Ebola in those returning from affected areas.”

There have been 177 individuals in the UK tested for virus but there has only been one positive case.

Pauline Cafferkey was the first person in the country diagnosed with the disease after returning from working in Sierra Leone.

The 39-year-old nurse said she was “happy to be alive” after she pulled through.

The PHE spokeswoman added: “Although there has been one confirmed case diagnosed in UK, the risk of Ebola to the general public in the UK remains very low. Ebola can only be transmitted by direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.

"We have well established and practised infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and our systems have demonstrated that the UK is able to manage a case of Ebola when identified.”