Lassa Fever alert: UKHSA investigates potential exposure after traveller returns from Nigeria

Health officials in the United Kingdom are on alert following the confirmation of a Lassa fever case in a traveler who had recently returned to Nigeria from England.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has initiated an investigation after being notified that an individual, who had traveled from Nigeria to England while experiencing symptoms, was subsequently diagnosed with Lassa fever upon their return.

The UKHSA is actively working to identify and contact individuals who may have been exposed to the infected person during their time in England, ensuring they receive appropriate medical guidance and testing if symptoms develop.

While Lassa fever is a serious viral illness with potential Ebola-like symptoms, it does not readily spread between humans, and the overall risk to the UK public remains “very low.” The virus, endemic in parts of West Africa, is primarily transmitted through contact with the Mastomys rodent, or through exposure to infected bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, or semen.

Transmission can also occur by consuming contaminated food or inhaling airborne particles from rodent droppings. Although most infections result in mild symptoms like fever, weakness, headache, and sore throat, severe cases can lead to bleeding, respiratory distress, vomiting, and organ dysfunction.

Symptoms typically manifest within one to three weeks following exposure to the Lassa virus.

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