SIR – When Ebola is transmitted by body fluids, then it must be rife in an environment lacking in basic sanitation.

There is no cure or effective treatment, resulting in the illness running its course and the death of half those infected irrespective of whether they are cared for or not. Therefore what actual benefit do the European volunteers fulfil through being involved?

It is questioned whether the considerable amount of money spent on sophisticated protection equipment for those going into the contaminated zones, should instead be diverted to establishing a sanitary infrastructure.

Do these “helpers” have a moral right to put themselves at risk of infection, and when as in recent cases they are infected,should they be allowed to come back home and put the massive burden of their treatment and the tracing of contacts on the struggling NHS?

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon