Ebola nurse receives honorary degree

A British nurse who survived the Ebola virus has received an honorary degree from the University of Essex.

Will Pooley contracted the virus in 2014, six weeks after volunteering at an Ebola clinic in Sierra Leone.

Following treatment with experimental drug ZMapp at London’s Royal Free Hospital, Mr Pooley returned to the country to help.

University of Essex head of nursing Martin Harrison called Mr Pooley ‘a role model’ and ‘true nursing professional’.

Mr Harrison said: ‘There are few people who would narrowly survive the deadly Ebola virus only to get straight back out to the infectious area to try and save more lives.

‘This is a man who does not fall at the first hurdle, but follows his calling whatever the cost.’

Airlifted to the UK, Mr Pooley was given experimental drug ZMapp at an isolation unit at London’s Royal Free Hospital.

‘Put all the joy you have in your heart into the care of other people,’ Mr Pooley advised others after the graduation ceremony.

Listen to William on the necessity - and joy - of nursing in Sierra Leone (1 min)