URGENT warnings have been sent to GPs across Swindon to watch for signs of the Ebola virus. 

It comes after an infected man in Liberia was allowed to fly from the disease-affected West African country to the major international travel hub of Lagos, Nigeria.

Public Health England has written to all doctors in the town urging them to remain vigilant and look out for the unexplained illnesses.

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global health at Public Health England, said: "The continuing increase in cases, especially in Sierra Leone, and the importation of a single case from Liberia to Nigeria, is a cause for concern as it indicates the outbreak is not yet under control. We will continue to assess the situation and provide support as required. 

"The risk to UK travellers and people working in these countries of contracting Ebola is very low but we have alerted UK medical practitioners about the situation in West Africa and requested they remain vigilant for unexplained illness in those who have visited the affected area.

"People who have returned from affected areas who have a sudden onset of symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat and general malaise within three weeks of their return, should immediately seek medical assitance. But it is important to stress that no cases of imported Ebola have ever been reported in the UK and the risk of a traveller going to West Africa and contracting it remains very low."