A doctor based in the UK has issued new advice after a deadly infection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo left over 50 people dead just hours after they first displayed symptoms
Brits heading abroad have been warned about a deadly new disease that has killed 53 people within 48 hours of them first showing symptoms.
The mystery illness, first discovered in three children who had eaten a bat, has rapidly killed dozens of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since mid-January, according to experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The interval between the onset of symptoms – which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding – and death has been just 48 hours in most cases, leaving doctors “worried” that the infection could soon spiral out of control.
On Tuesday, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević told a briefing that the illness poses a “significant public health threat” and that the exact cause “remains unknown”. Now, one doctor based in the UK has answered some questions about the mystery virus – including whether we should be worried about it spreading here.
What are the symptoms?
Dr Zania Stamataki, Associate Professor in Viral Immunology, University of Birmingham, said the symptoms are “different to the alarming infection caused by severe malaria in the DRC in the end of last year”, and include nose bleeds, vomiting blood and internal bleeding. These symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses – such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever – but tests have so far ruled these out.
She added: “The time from symptom onset to death is 48 hours, which is very alarming. We know that the patients tested negative for known haemorrhagic fever viruses such as Marburg and Ebola. Other haemorrhagic fever-causing pathogens are investigated. The modes of transmission are unknown. The authorities are also looking at culprits beyond infection, for example poisoning by a toxic agent.”
Will cases keep rising?
Dr Stamataki said it was “possible that we will see more cases” , as it is currently not known how infection is transmitted, which “makes it more difficult to contain”. “The best way to contain the outbreak is to isolate patients and stop travel in affected regions to prevent transmission”, she added, warning that an infected person “could feel well enough to travel and mix with others in social events, which aids transmission”.
Will this infection spread to the UK?
No cases have been reported in Britain yet – but Dr Stamataki cautioned that “infections know no borders and do not respect country lines”. Those travelling to the affected area in the Congo should be particularly aware for possible symptoms. She explained: “People travel and infections travel with them, either hitching a ride in a person or in animal carriers, so one cannot exclude spread outside of a country’s borders. In the UK and in other countries we need to remain vigilant and watch for symptoms. Symptoms of a haemorrhagic fever-type disease should be reported to the UK Health Security Agency via a registered medical practitioner.”
