Not now, Lassa fever! England records two cases of Ebola-like virus
Not now, Lassa fever! England records two cases of Ebola-like virus among family returning from West Africa
- Third relative suspected of having the disease but is awaiting confirmatory tests
- All three are members of the same family from the East of England, officials said
- Two new cases are among only 10 ever spotted in the UK — and first since 2009
Two cases of Lassa Fever have been detected in England in people who recently returned from West Africa.
The patients are members of the same family from the East of England, health officials said.
A third relative is suspected of having the Ebola-like disease but is awaiting confirmatory tests.
The UK Health Security Agency said there was no evidence of onward transmission from any of the cases.
The two new cases are among only 10 ever spotted in the UK — and the first since 2009.
One of confirmed patients is being moved to the Royal Free in London to receive specialist care, while the second has made a fully recovery.
The third probable case is being monitored by doctors locally at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Lassa Fever is endemic in Nigeria and several other countries on the west coast of Africa, including Liberia and Guinea.
Symptoms begin with headaches, sore throats and vomiting, but it can trigger bleeding from the mouth, nose or vagina.
However, they can gradually progress to shock, seizures, tremors, disorientation and comas without prompt treatment.
Two cases of Lassa Fever have been detected in England after recently returning from West Africa. The patients are within the same family in the East of England, the UK Health Security said
A quarter of patients will also experience temporary deafness that will eventually return, medical literature states.
WHAT IS LASSA FEVER?
Scientists first identified the virus causing Lassa fever in 1969. It belongs to the Arenaviridae family.
According to the World Health Organization, only 20 per cent of victims will report any symptoms.
Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and several other countries on the west coast of Africa, including Liberia and Guinea, according to the WHO.
Symptoms begin with headaches, sore throats and vomiting, but it can trigger bleeding from the mouth, nose or vagina.
However, they gradually progress to shock, seizures, tremors, disorientation and comas without prompt treatment.
A quarter of patients will also experience temporary deafness that will eventually return, medical literature states.
Pregnant women who contract the disease late in pregnancy face an 80 per cent chance of losing their child or dying themselves.
It can either be spread by rats or from person-to-person by exposure to bodily fluids of someone who is infected.
Most people with Lassa Fever will make a full recovery, however the virus can be fatal in roughly 1 per cent of cases.
People usually become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread via bodily fluids.
The High Consequence Infectious Disease Network is engaged with their ongoing care.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA said: ‘We can confirm that two cases of Lassa Fever have been identified in England, and a further probable case is under investigation.
‘The cases are within the same family and are linked to recent travel to West Africa.
‘Cases of Lassa fever are rare in the UK and it does not spread easily between people. The overall risk to the public is very low.
‘We are contacting the individuals who have had close contact with the cases prior to confirmation of their infection, to provide appropriate assessment, support and advice.
‘The UKHSA and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be reinforced.’
Dr Sir Michael Jacobs, consultant in infectious diseases at the Royal Free London, said: ‘The Royal Free Hospital is a specialist centre for treating patients with viral haemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.
‘Our secure unit is run by a highly-trained and experienced team of doctors, nurses, therapists and laboratory staff and is designed to ensure our staff can safely treat patients with these kind of infections.’
People living in endemic areas of West Africa with high populations of rodents are most at risk of Lassa fever.
‘Imported cases rarely occur elsewhere in the world. Such cases are almost exclusively in people who work in endemic areas in high-risk occupations such as medical or other aid workers.’
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