Giuseppe
Emeritus
HPA - Case of Lassa Fever in Specialist Unit in London
Case of Lassa Fever in Specialist Unit in London
23 January 2009
The Health Protection Agency can confirm that a patient is being treated for Lassa fever at the high security infectious diseases unit at the Royal Free Hospital.
This is an isolated case in a traveller who returned to the UK, from Nigeria, on the 6th January.
There is no risk to the general public as a result of this case.
The patient was initially admitted to Homerton University Hospital on 8th January, and then transferred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College Hospital on 22nd January.
The Homerton carried out testing for a wide range of common infections associated with travel to Africa, all of which tested negative.
Following this samples were referred to the Health Protection Agency and the diagnosis of Lassa fever was made on the 22nd January.
At this point the patient was moved to the Royal Free where they could receive the appropriate treatment.
Dr Dilys Morgan a Lassa fever expert at the Health Protection Agency said;
"This is an isolated case of Lassa fever in a traveller who has recently returned from Nigeria. It is important to stress that there is no risk to the general public from this patient."
Lassa fever is an infection that is found in West Africa and is seen rarely in this country in those who have travelled to parts of the world where it is common. The infection is not easily spread to others and then only by direct contact with bodily fluids.
The usual incubation period for Lassa fever is 7-10 days.
The symptoms include a fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain.
"We are working closely with Homerton University Hospital and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College Hospital to identify any members of staff who may have been involved in the care of this patient, and who came into contact with their bodily fluids. These people will be provided with information about Lassa fever and asked to get in contact with us should they develop any symptoms. Patients and visitors to the hospital are not at risk"
Notes to Editors:
Lassa fever is an acute illness caused by Lassa virus and known to be endemic in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and the Central African Republic, and there is evidence of infection in nearby countries including Mali, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus is shed in the urine and droppings of infected rats so most infections arise through contact with materials contaminated by these.
Information on Lassa fever and other viral haemorrhagic fevers can be found at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/VHF/menu.htm
Information about the condition of the patient can be obtained from the Royal Free Press Office on 0207 830 2963 for more information about the Royal Free high security infectious diseases unit please go to: http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/default.aspx?top_nav_id=1&tab_id=453
For further information please contact the press office on 0207 759 2824/2834.
For out of hours calls please phone 0208 200 4400.
Last reviewed: 23 January 2009
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<cite cite="http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1232698039715?p=1231252394302">HPA - Case of Lassa Fever in Specialist Unit in London</cite>23 January 2009
The Health Protection Agency can confirm that a patient is being treated for Lassa fever at the high security infectious diseases unit at the Royal Free Hospital.
This is an isolated case in a traveller who returned to the UK, from Nigeria, on the 6th January.
There is no risk to the general public as a result of this case.
The patient was initially admitted to Homerton University Hospital on 8th January, and then transferred to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College Hospital on 22nd January.
The Homerton carried out testing for a wide range of common infections associated with travel to Africa, all of which tested negative.
Following this samples were referred to the Health Protection Agency and the diagnosis of Lassa fever was made on the 22nd January.
At this point the patient was moved to the Royal Free where they could receive the appropriate treatment.
Dr Dilys Morgan a Lassa fever expert at the Health Protection Agency said;
"This is an isolated case of Lassa fever in a traveller who has recently returned from Nigeria. It is important to stress that there is no risk to the general public from this patient."
Lassa fever is an infection that is found in West Africa and is seen rarely in this country in those who have travelled to parts of the world where it is common. The infection is not easily spread to others and then only by direct contact with bodily fluids.
The usual incubation period for Lassa fever is 7-10 days.
The symptoms include a fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain.
"We are working closely with Homerton University Hospital and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College Hospital to identify any members of staff who may have been involved in the care of this patient, and who came into contact with their bodily fluids. These people will be provided with information about Lassa fever and asked to get in contact with us should they develop any symptoms. Patients and visitors to the hospital are not at risk"
Notes to Editors:
Lassa fever is an acute illness caused by Lassa virus and known to be endemic in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and the Central African Republic, and there is evidence of infection in nearby countries including Mali, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus is shed in the urine and droppings of infected rats so most infections arise through contact with materials contaminated by these.
Information on Lassa fever and other viral haemorrhagic fevers can be found at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/VHF/menu.htm
Information about the condition of the patient can be obtained from the Royal Free Press Office on 0207 830 2963 for more information about the Royal Free high security infectious diseases unit please go to: http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/default.aspx?top_nav_id=1&tab_id=453
For further information please contact the press office on 0207 759 2824/2834.
For out of hours calls please phone 0208 200 4400.
Last reviewed: 23 January 2009
-