After the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed two cases of Lassa Fever in the UK earlier this week, a third individual has died of the illness, the UKHSA has confirmed. All three individuals were from the East of England, and had recently travelled to West Africa, where the disease is considered endemic in many countries. The UKHSA said the risk to the general public remains “very low”.
Close contacts of the individuals with Lassa Fever are currently being contacted by the UKHSA.
A Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We confirm the sad death of a patient at our trust, who had confirmed Lassa fever. We send our deepest condolences to their family at this difficult time.
“We will continue to support the patient’s family and our staff and are working closely with colleagues from the UK Health Security Agency to undertake a robust contact tracing exercise.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) described Lassa Fever as: “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.”
Infections of Lassa virus usually occurs through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rodents.
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