The patient who last week died from the rare rat-borne virus Lassa fever was a newborn baby, it has been reported.
The tiny child was one of three confirmed cases within the same family in east England who had recently returned home from a trip to West Africa.
The UK Health Security Agency announced the confirmed cases last Friday and said one had proved fatal, with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust then confirming the patient was in their care.
The baby is believed to have died at the Luton and Dunstable hospital, where staff have been identified as potential contacts of the acute viral infection, as well as Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge.
An email to staff seen by the BBC reads: “Colleagues identified through our staff contact tracing exercise have been required to undertake a precautionary isolation period of 14 days, and not have patient contact for 21 days.
“As expected, this is impacting on our staffing levels and has required the temporary closure of a substantial portion of our critical care capacity – with impact on our clinical services.
“We want to assure you all that cases of Lassa fever are rare in the UK and it does not spread easily between people. The overall risk to healthcare staff and other patients is very low.”
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus - and is similar to Ebola.
It's spread from exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rats.
It can also be caught through contact with infected bodily fluids.
Last week’s confirmed cases were the first in the UK since 2009.
The UK Health Security Agency statement last week said: "The UK Health Security Agency can confirm that the probable case of Lassa fever under investigation is now confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to three. Sadly, this individual has died.
"We are contacting the individuals who have had close contact with the cases prior to confirmation of their infection, to provide appropriate assessment, support and advice.
"The risk to the general public remains very low."
A hospital trust spokesperson said: “We confirm the sad death of a patient at our trust, who had confirmed Lassa fever.
"We send our deepest condolences to their family at this difficult time.
“We will continue to support the patient’s family and our staff and are working closely with colleagues from the UK Health Security Agency to undertake a robust contact tracing exercise.”
