Update: 2 March 2022

As a result of the successful ongoing mutual support across the region’s healthcare systems during the last few weeks, the regional major incident status has now been stood down.

Statement of 11 February 2022

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed three individuals have been diagnosed with Lassa fever in the East of England. They are within the same family and are linked to recent travel to West Africa.

The risk to public health from Lassa fever is very low. Lassa fever is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. It is not spread by air.

UKHSA advice is that some staff at the hospitals where the patients have been treated may need to undergo testing and wear more personal protective equipment (PPE) than normal. Staff in direct contact with confirmed cases will have to self-isolate for a period of time. This is standard procedure and precautionary only.

Because of the impact this will have on staffing key services in our region we have declared a regional major incident. This allows the region’s healthcare systems to work together to keep services running safely.

Some hospital services will be affected, with a number of services either postponed or moved to a different location. Patients that are affected by this will be contacted directly.

Risk to the public remains very low and if you are not contacted about a planned appointment you should not be affected. Members of the public should continue to access NHS services in the usual way as needed, via GPs, pharmacies and NHS 111 online and by phone. Anyone in a life-threatening emergency should always call 999.

For more information please see the UKHSA press release here.