The UK has been put on high alert as a deadly virus has been found in travellers returning to the country.
Travel Health Pro, backed by the Foreign Office, has confirmed 14 cases of meningococcal disease from those jetting back from Saudi Arabia, with some cases affecting Brits. This virus, known for causing meningitis and septicaemia, has a fatality rate of 8-15% among those it infects.
The bug launches a vicious attack on the body, leading to an intense bacterial infection, and can be caught through direct mouth-to-mouth contact. As of June 21, there have been five cases in the US, four in France, three in the UK, and one each in Norway and the Netherlands.
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These cases were identified in travellers or their contacts who had returned from the Umrah pilgrimage, a religious journey to Mecca, reports the Express. Human to human transmission occurs through coughing, sneezing, kissing, or close contact with someone carrying the bug.
Travel Health Pro warns that although carriers might not show symptoms, they’re at risk of developing the disease if the bacteria invade the bloodstream from the back of the nose and throat. According to the site: “Invasive disease is a rare but serious outcome usually presenting as septicaemia (blood poisoning) or meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain).”
According to the NHS, symptoms include:
In babies:
- High temperature, possibly with cold hands and feet
- Vomiting or refusing feeds
- Blank staring expression
- Shrill or moaning cry
- Pale blotchy complexion
- Floppy
- Difficult to wake or sleepy
- The fontanelle (soft spot) may be tense or bulging
In children and adults:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
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- Dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness
- Fitting
- Confusion
- Painful joints
Septicaemic rash:
- Patients with septicaemia may also develop a rash
- The bacteria damage the blood vessels, allowing blood to leak out under the skin.
- This causes a rash of red or brown pin prick spots, purple bruises, or blood blisters which can appear anywhere on the body.
- If a glass tumbler is pressed firmly against the rash it will not fade – you will be able to see the rash through the glass.
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