A PERSON who visited the UK while unwell has tested positive for Lassa fever as health chiefs scramble to find their contacts.
The horrific Ebola-like disease can cause bleeding from the eyes, though 80 per cent of victims show no symptoms.
The person travelled from Nigeria in West Africa to England in late February while sick with the virus, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
They then returned to Nigeria where they were diagnosed.
The overall risk to the public is “very low,” according to the health body.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, which can lead to internal bleeding and affect multiple organ systems.
People usually contract it by being exposed to food or items covered in rat urine or faeces, but it can also be spread through infected bodily fluids.
The virus – in the same family as Ebola, but not as deadly or infectious – has become endemic in a number of West African countries.
Most people with Lassa Fever make a full recovery but some people can get severely ill.
It originated in the town of Lassa, northern Nigeria, which is its’ namesake.
The fever has an incubation period of 21 days and can also be transmitted through bodily fluids.
While the majority of cases are without symptoms, some can include fever, physical fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, abdominal pains or sore throat.
Dr Meera Chand, from the UKHSA, said: “Our health protection teams are working at pace to get in touch with people who were in contact with this individual while they were in England, to ensure they seek appropriate medical care and testing should they develop any symptoms.
“The infection does not spread easily between people, and the overall risk to the UK population is very low.”
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