Investigation Underway for Lassa Fever Case in the UK Following Travel from Nigeria

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating a Lassa fever case involving a traveler from Nigeria. The overall public risk is considered very low, as the virus does not spread easily between individuals. Contact tracing efforts are underway to ensure affected individuals receive necessary medical care.

Health officials in the United Kingdom are currently investigating a potential outbreak of Lassa fever, a viral illness that can present Ebola-like symptoms, following the confirmation of a case involving a traveler from Nigeria. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the individual became unwell with Lassa fever prior to their arrival in England and was subsequently diagnosed after returning to Nigeria.

The UKHSA is actively working to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the infected person during their stay in the UK. Notably, Lassa fever is not easily spread between humans, leading experts to classify the overall risk to the public as “very low.” The virus, endemic to parts of West Africa, particularly in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, is typically transmitted via a rodent known as the Mastomys.

Transmission to humans commonly occurs through the consumption of contaminated food or inhalation of the virus, along with potential exposure to the droppings of infected rodents found in living environments. Some individuals may also contract the virus through bodily fluids including blood, saliva, urine, and semen. While many Lassa fever cases result in mild symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, and sore throat, severe cases may manifest with bleeding, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and swelling of the face.

Dr. Meera Chand, deputy director at UKHSA, emphasized that health protection teams are swiftly reaching out to those who were in contact with the infected individual to facilitate access to medical care and testing if necessary. She reassured that the infection does not readily spread among individuals, therefore the risk to the UK population remains very low. Symptoms typically present within one to three weeks following exposure to the virus.

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In summary, the UK faces a potential Lassa fever outbreak linked to a traveler from Nigeria, though the UKHSA maintains that the risk to the public is extremely low. Health officials are diligently tracing contacts to ensure any individuals at risk receive appropriate medical attention. Given Lassa fever’s limited human-to-human transmission, public health remains a priority without heightened concern.

Original Source: metro.co.uk