Scientist accidentally exposed himself to ebola virus in Hungarian lab experiment gone wrong
WORRIED World Health Organisation experts have sent a shipment of an experimental Ebola vaccine and drugs to treat a scientist who has been exposed to the deadly disease.
The UN health agency revealed tonight that Hungarian officials asked for help after a scientist working in a normally secure laboratory had an "accidental exposure" to Ebola.
The WHO said it has now helped immunise the scientist with an experimental vaccine. It also helped send two unlicensed drugs.
The scientist was immediately isolated in a Budapest hospital and the risk of Ebola spreading to another person is said to be "negligible."
It noted that the labour worker didn't have any symptoms of the disease - which typically has a fatality rate of about 50 per cent
Ebola was first seen in the West African nation of Guinea in December 2013, and went on to claim more than 11,000 lives.
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The pandemic crippled the already volatile health systems in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
West African countries, reaching Nigeria, Spain, the US and the UK.
Almost 30,000 people across the three nations were infected with the disease, which is spread via contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
The outbreak was catastrophic, leaving whole communities in ruins, thousands of children orphans and millions facing starvation.