AFTER the NHS warned medics to watch out for patients with symptoms of Ebola, the deadly disease is no longer a crisis contained in Africa.

Indeed, after a Madrid nurse caught the virus in Spain the killer bug is on our doorstep.

Most people in Oxfordshire will try to forget about the outbreak and hope it does not spread but others, like Andy Gleadle, are doing their best to make a difference.

Like soldiers who travel abroad to fight on our behalf he is risking his own life to lead a team from the International Medical Corps in Sierra Leone.

Mr Gleadle will be well aware of the dangers he faces but only speaks of his team’s attempts to help others.

He points out that the international response to Ebola has been too slow, but Oxfordshire itself has been at the forefront of attempts to combat the disease.

Staff at Oxford University are trying to develop a vaccine, with mum-of-two Ruth Atkins stepping up last month to take part in trials.

And Cowley-based charity Oxfam has also played its part by providing water supplies and hand-washing facilities to more than half a million people in West Africa.

The message from health bosses is that if all goes to plan the disease could be brought under control by February.

But the situation is going to get worse before it gets better, so major investment is needed to ensure that proper support is given to projects like the one run by Mr Gleadle, Oxford University and Oxfam.