The 'exponential' spread of Ebola in West Africa must be stopped soon to avoid a threat to the UK, according to a University of Kent expert.

This is the stark warning from virologist Dr Jeremy Rossman, who said that without more resources and experienced medical practitioners, it will be extremely difficult to stem the tide of disease that has so far affected more than 8,000 people.

Dr Rossman said it is currently unlikely that any isolated Ebola outbreaks in the UK would spread, but warned the situation could change if the explosion of cases in West Africa is not brought under control.

He said: “The situation in West Africa continues to worsen as the largest Ebola virus outbreak continues to spread.

"Even if an isolated outbreak did occur in the UK, it is unlikely that the disease would spread, given the current health care system and our available resources.

"However, this situation could change if the spread of Ebola virus in West Africa is not halted soon."

Current trends show an exponential increase in cases, with almost 35% of the new infections arising in the past 21 days.

In Sierra Leone it is estimated there are five new cases every hour.

With isolated cases in the USA and Europe, some countries have introduced screening at airports and train terminals, and other points of entry.

Yesterday the UK government announced plans to follow suit, and intends to screen passengers at Heathrow and Gatwick, and the Eurostar stations at St Pancras, Ebbsfleet and Ashford.

But screening may not prevent the disease reaching the UK, warns Dr Rossman.

He said: “Unfortunately, Ebola has a long incubation period which means an infected person may pass all screening tests before becoming sick.

“As a result, it is not possible to completely prevent Ebola-infected individuals from entering the county, as was recently seen in the USA."

The NHS has prepared treatment and quarantine wards to deal with infected individuals in UK.

Hospitals – including Kent and Canterbury – have been carrying out emergency drills to test the response to an Ebola outbreak.

Kent County Council Interim Director of Public health, Andrew Scott-Clark said the authority has a plan in place to deal with infectious diseases.

He said: “Border staff and medical practitioners are being kept informed and [it’s been] requested they remain vigilant for unexplained illness in those people who have visited these areas in West Africa.

“It is important to remember that unless you’ve come into contact with the blood or bodily fluid of an infected person (for example by providing healthcare for a person with Ebola or handling the dead body of someone who died from Ebola), there is little chance of you being infected.

“As such, the risk to the general Kent population remains low.”