Authorities in England confirmed that two persons tested positive for Lassa fever. This is the first time in more than a decade that the ailment has been recorded in the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated this week that two persons had tested positive with Lassa fever, with a third "possible" case being investigated. According to the CDC, the three are all from the same family. The illnesses are connected to "recent travel" to West Africa.
One of them has already made a full recovery. At the same time, the other will be treated at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. According to UKHSA, the "possible" case is treated at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Lassa Fever Not a Cause of Concern, Health Official Says
Dr. Susan Hopkins, the UKHSA's top medical adviser, said in a statement obtained by WBAL that Lassa fever is uncommon in the United Kingdom.
According to Hopkins, the said disease does not travel readily between individuals. Hopkins confirmed that the real danger to the public is highly minimal.
The UKHSA and the National Health Service (NHS) in England have well-established and rigorous infection control protocols for dealing with instances of imported infectious illness, which will be enhanced, Hopkins said.
Euro News said there have only been eight cases of Lassa fever brought into the United Kingdom since 1980. According to reports, the last two cases in the UK happened in 2009. UKHSA said there was no indication of onward transmission in any of these instances.
Lassa Fever Explained
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lassa fever is an animal-borne viral infection caused by the Lassa virus.
The sickness was named after a location in Nigeria, where the first cases were discovered in 1969. It is indigenous to regions of West Africa, yet it is also thought to be endangered in adjacent nations.
Food or household objects that have been exposed to infected rats' urine or excrement may cause Lassa fever in humans.
For example, one may get sick by eating contaminated food, breathing rat excrement-laden particles, or being exposed to incisions or sores.
Lassa Fever Symptoms
Because the symptoms are so variable and non-specific, WHO (via ABC News) said diagnosing Lassa Fever is typically challenging, particularly early in the course of the disease.
Fever, overall weakness, and malaise are often the first symptoms. After a few days, the person may get the following mild symptoms:
- headaches;
- sore throats;
- muscular pains;
- chest pains;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- coughing; and
- stomach discomfort.
The severe symptoms include face swelling, mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract bleeding, and low blood pressure.
According to the WHO, deafness affects 25% of recovered patients. In half of these cases, hearing recovers partly after one to three months.
About 80% of those infected with the Lassa virus exhibit no symptoms. One in every five infections leads to severe illness, in which the virus attacks several organs, including the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
The overall case-fatality rate is 1%, while case-fatality among patients admitted to hospitals with serious illnesses is estimated to be over 15%. In fatal situations, death generally occurs within 14 days. According to the WHO, early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
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