Congo Fever Case Confirmed In Scotland
Sky News – 31 minutes ago- Congo Fever Case Confirmed In Scotland
A man who recently returned home to the UK is being treated in complete isolation in hospital for a potentially deadly disease.
Tests revealed the 38-year-old, who flew into Scotland from Dubai, has Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).
He was admitted to Gartnavel General Hospital's Brownlee Centre in Glasgow less than three hours after arriving in Scotland and has since been transferred to the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
His condition is described as critical but stable.
Passengers who sat close to the man on Emirates flight EK027 on Tuesday have been contacted.
Although they are not showing any symptoms of the disease, doctors said they would be closely monitored.
The risk of CCHF being passed through the air is "extremely low", a spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said.
It is normally spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of infected animals or people.
The NHSGGC spokesman said: "Given that this man went into the care of the NHS within three hours of his flight arrival in Glasgow and travelled directly home via private transport from the airport, we are confident that his close contacts subsequently within the city were minimal."
CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease and is fatal in 30% of human cases.
It causes large areas of severe bruising, nosebleeds and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites.
Early symptoms include headaches, fever, vomiting and back, joint and stomach pain. They can also include red eyes, red spots on the roof of the mouth and jaundice.
The virus is widespread in parts of Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.
:: Anyone who is worried they may have the disease should contact NHS24 for advice on 08000 858531.
