Ebola has claimed its first victim in Germany as Europe starts to ready itself for an influx of people infected with the virus.

The latest victim was a UN health official who had been working in Liberia. He died in hospital in Leipzig. One other victim has left hospital, while another is being treated in Frankfurt.

“All the hygiene measures were performed at the highest level to protect the medical staff and to protect the total environment,” said Chief Doctor and Head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Tropical Diseases and Nephrology Professor Bernhard Ruf.

In Britain the authorities say they are only expecting a handful of cases while ebola runs its course, but screening of “high-risk” passengers has begun at Heathrow airport, even if medical experts say only screening at points of departure is effective.

In Spain hospital and health workers demonstrated in Madrid after one of their colleagues, nurse Teresa Romero, fell ill with the disease after treating a sufferer. They are angry at what they say is a lack of preparedness and failure to observe medical protocols that is putting their lives at risk.

“The nurse is the only possible source of contagion, which is now not possible as she is isolated in a room under a strong protocol. Everyone who was in contact with her while she was contagious with fever is accounted for. And we hope all of this ends with her,” said Acute and Infectious disease specialist Dr. Mar Lago.

Teresa Romero’s plight has lead to hundreds of people laying flowers outside her house, along with messages wishing her a speedy recovery. Doctors describe her condition as stable.

EU Health ministers meet on Thursday to decide on an EU strategy to cope with the killer virus.