Varadkar: Chance of Ebola reaching Ireland very low

The Health Minister Leo Varadkar has insisted the chance of Ebola reaching Ireland remains very low.

It comes as the World Health Organisation says the virus is now entrenched in three west African countries, where almost 4,000 people have died.

The emergency task force which met yesterday to review Ireland's preparations in the event of an outbreak is briefing the Cabinet today on the plans.

In Spain, 14 people are now being monitored in Madrid after nurse Teresa Romero became the first person to contract Ebola in Europe. She had been treating a priest who died after he was repatriated home.

Leo Varadkar said: "Ebola has been around now since the 1970s so it's not a new threat...This is the worst outbreak that I can remember (but) it's still the case that the chances of it coming to Ireland are very low."

He added that: "We need to be prepared, nonetheless."

Mr Varadkar ruled out the prospect of screening for Ebola at Irish airports.