UK detects case of Ebola-like disease that causes horrific bleeding and seizures – as officials rush to trace contacts
A PERSON who visited the UK while unwell has tested positive for Lassa fever as health chiefs scramble to find their contacts.
The horrific Ebola-like disease can cause bleeding from the eyes – though 80 per cent of victims show no symptoms.
The unidentified person travelled from Nigeria in West Africa to England in late February while sick with the virus, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
They then returned to Nigeria where they were diagnosed.
The overall risk to the public is “very low,” according to the health body.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, which can lead to internal bleeding and affect multiple organ systems.
People usually contract it by being exposed to food or items covered in rat urine or faeces, but it can also be spread through infected bodily fluids.
The virus – in the same family as Ebola, but not as deadly or infectious – has become endemic in a number of West African countries.
Most people with Lassa Fever make a full recovery but some people can get severely ill.
It originated in the town of Lassa, northern Nigeria, which is its’ namesake.
It is sometimes referred to as ‘rat fever’ because rodents can carry it.
The fever has an incubation period of 21 days and can also be transmitted through bodily fluids.
There is currently no vaccine to treat or prevent it.
Lassa fever is an illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is listed on the World Health Organisation’s list of notorious pathogens that have epidemic or pandemic potential.
The majority of cases are without symptoms.
However, it can causes headaches, weakness, coughing vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains and a sore throat.
In severe cases, the disease can affect many organs and can damage the body’s blood vessels.
This can lead to bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings, as well as breathing problems, facial swelling, chest pain and shock.
Around one per cent of people who are infected die, although this rises to 15 per cent in people who are admitted to the hospital with severe symptoms, and up to 70 per cent in some areas.
Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: “Our health protection teams are working at pace to get in touch with people who were in contact with this individual while they were in England, to ensure they seek appropriate medical care and testing should they develop any symptoms.
“The infection does not spread easily between people, and the overall risk to the UK population is very low.”
Lassa Fever: Signs, symptoms and how to stay safe
The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from six to 21 days.
The onset of the disease, when it is symptomatic, is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise.
After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow.
In severe cases, facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the eyes, mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop.
How to stay safe
UK travellers planning to visit areas at risk of Lassa fever should consider their plans carefully, in consultation with a travel health specialist.
All travellers to Lassa fever endemic areas should:
- Avoid contact with anyone with symptoms
- Avoid contact with blood and body fluids and items that might have been contaminated with blood and body fluids, like clothes, bedding or medical equipment
- Avoid areas with a risk of contamination with rat urine or droppings
- Avoid eating, cooking or preparing any meat from an unknown source
- Always wash and peel fruit and vegetables carefully
- Store food in rodent-proof containers
- Follow good food, water and personal hygiene advice, including careful, regular hand washing with soap and water (or alcohol gel if soap and water is unavailable)
- Follow safer sex advice – always use a condom
- At funerals, mourners should avoid all contact with the deceased, their body fluids and their personal property
Check each Country Information page here for destination specific news and outbreaks.
Source: The WHO