“The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has clarified that the new cases are part of the same family in the East of England and are linked to recent travel to West Africa,” said during the interview. ‘a UN press briefing in Geneva, Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for theWHO in Geneva. According to the WHO, cases of Lassa fever are rare in the UK and the disease does not spread easily between people.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease with an incubation period of 2 to 21 days. It is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household objects contaminated with urine or rodent feces.
Management of cases and their contacts
Secondary transmission can also occur through direct contact with blood, secretions, other body fluids or organs of infected people, especially in healthcare settings. Most people with Lassa fever make a full recovery, but serious illness can occur in some individuals. One of the cases has recovered, while the other will receive specialist care.
According to the global health agency, British health authorities have contacted people who had close contact with the cases before their infection was confirmed, to provide them with appropriate assessment, support and advice. “The overall risk to the public is very low,” Lindmeier said, noting that this country has “well-established and robust infection control procedures to deal with cases of imported infectious diseases and these will be strengthened. “.
Lassa fever is endemic in Benin (where it was first diagnosed in November 2014), Guinea, Ghana (first diagnosed in October 2011), Liberia, Mali (first diagnosed in February 2009), in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, but it is probably also present in other West African countries. The overall case fatality rate is usually between 1% and 15% in hospitalized patients with severe disease.
No vaccine protects once morest Lassa fever
Early initiation of rehydration and symptomatic treatment increases the chances of survival. According to the WHO, antiviral treatment with ribavirin appears to be effective if administered early in the clinical course. There is no evidence that this drug has any utility in post-exposure prophylaxis.
Currently, no vaccine protects once morest Lassa fever. Prevention of Lassa fever involves promoting good “community hygiene” to prevent rodents from entering homes.
In addition, travelers from endemic areas may export the disease to other countries. Although malaria, typhoid fever and many other tropical infections are much more common than Lassa fever, WHO advocates the option of diagnosis in febrile patients returning from West Africa, especially if they traveled to rural areas or hospitals in countries where Lassa fever is known to be endemic.
According to the WHO, health workers who see a suspected case should immediately contact local or national experts to seek advice and arrange for laboratory testing.
