There have been 8 cases of Lassa fever imported into the UK since 1980.
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that two people have been diagnosed with Lassa fever. Another likely case is being investigated, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to Channel 24.
One of the infected has recovered, and the other will receive specialized assistance from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
< p>Another patient who may have been infected is at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
We can confirm that two cases of Lassa fever have been detected in England and another likely case is under investigation. Infected from the same family, infections linked to a recent trip to West Africa,
— UKHSA chief medical adviser Susan Hopkins said.
Lassa virus — what is it?
An acute viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus. Humans usually become infected with the virus through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of infected rats. In addition, the virus can be transmitted through infected bodily fluids.
Most people with Lassa fever recover completely, but some people may develop a severe course of the disease.
Help. Since 1980, there have been 8 cases of Lassa fever imported into the UK in the UK. The last 2 cases were recorded in 2009. In none of these cases was there evidence of further transmission.
What is known about Lassa fever
Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, but occasional cases occur in other West African countries.
The case fatality rate is 1%. , and among hospitalized patients — up to 15%. The chances of survival increase if treatment is started early in the disease.
Symptoms and consequences of the disease
- The incubation period for Lassa fever is 6 to 21 days. Early symptoms of the disease, such as high fever, general weakness and malaise, begin gradually.
- After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough may appear and abdominal pain.
- Severe forms of the disease can cause swelling of the face, fluid in the sinuses, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina, or gastrointestinal tract, and a drop in blood pressure.
- Later, the patient may experience shock, convulsions, tremors, disorientation, and coma. Deafness develops in 25% of cured patients. Half of these patients experience a partial return of hearing after 1 to 3 months. During the recovery period, there may be temporary hair loss and impaired walking.
- Death usually occurs within 14 days after the onset of symptoms of the disease. The disease is particularly severe in the later stages of pregnancy, with rates of maternal mortality and fetal loss exceeding 80% during the last trimester.