The first death occurred in England due to Lassa fever, which is transmitted from animal to human and can be fatal. While the British Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) said, “The risk for the general public is very low”, a statement came from WHO.
NUMBER OF CASE RISE TO 3
Health officials reported that 1 person in Bedfordshire died after contracting the disease, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 3.
“THE RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS VERY LOW”
“We are contacting people who have had close contact with cases before infections are confirmed to provide appropriate assessment, support and advice. The risk to the general public is very low,” the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement. expression was used.
The UKHSA pointed out that all identified cases were in the same family in the east of England and were linked to recent travels to West Africa.
STATEMENT FROM WHO
World Health Organization (WHO) Spokesperson Christian Lindmeier announced at the press conference held at the United Nations (UN) Geneva Office that a family member in England was diagnosed with Lassa fever.
It has been reported that those who contracted the disease had recently returned from West Africa.
Sharing the knowledge that this disease is a hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, Lindmeier underlined that the disease can be transmitted through food or items contaminated with the urine and feces of mice carrying the virus.
Lindmeier warned that the disease can also be transmitted from person to person, but noted that the virus that causes malaria does not spread easily.
The disease, which is transmitted by contact with mouse feces, can pass from person to person and causes fatal hemorrhagic fever.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) also announced on February 8 that the number of people who died in the Lassa fever epidemic in the country increased to 40.
Source: AA