Daily Star: Ebola-Like Virus Hits Britain as Three Patients Treated For Symptoms

Health officials in the UK have confirmed that “three Brits are being treated for an Ebola-like virus after being rushed back home from Africa”.

The Daily Star reports: “They came into close contact with two people diagnosed with Lassa fever – where victims can end up bleeding from the mouth and nose.”

The report stated that the two people were “diagnosed with Lassa fever in Sierra Leone, one of whom later died”.

The British trio “have now been brought back home to be medically assessed and treated, if required”.

“Public Health England (PHE) has also contacted 15 other British nationals who had contact with the two Dutch nationals with Lassa fever,” the report added.

“There is no approved vaccine for Lassa fever, whose symptoms are similar to Ebola.

“After starting as a fever with aches and pains, it can progress to headache, vomiting and diarrhoea.

“According to the World Health Organisation, severe cases can cause victims to bleed from the mouth and nose.

“Like Ebola, Lassa fever can be spread through contact with the bodily fluids of sick people.

“Humans can also contract it from eating food that has been tainted by the urine or faeces of rodents.

“PHE said most people with Lassa fever make a full recovery, although severe illness can occur.”

The report also quotes Dr Jake Dunning, Head of Emerging Infections and Zoonoses at PHE, who said: “It is important to emphasise that Lassa fever does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the public is very low.

“There are no confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the UK. PHE is monitoring those who have had close contact with the foreign national to assess them as necessary and provide advice,” he added.

“PHE and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed.”