A man who flew home to the UK on an Emirates flight from Dubai has been diagnosed as having a potentially deadly viral disease.
Tests revealed that the 38-year-old man, who returned to Glasgow, Scotland on a connecting flight from Dubai on Tuesday, has Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).
Three passengers who were sitting close to him on the Emirates flight EK027 are being contacted directed to ensure there has been no transmission although doctors say the risk to other passengers is “extremely low”.
An investigation has been launched and the patient is now being treated in isolation at Gartnavel General Hospital’s Brownlee Centre, which specialises in infectious diseases.
He is said to be in a critical condition, according to media reports in the UK.
CCHF is a widespread tick-borne viral disease which is especially common in East and West Africa and is fatal in up to 30 percent of human cases.
Recent outbreaks have been reported in Pakistan, India and Iran, with fatalities.
In a statement, the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board said: “Given the fact 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.
“The risk to all other passengers on the flight is extremely low… We have also identified all NHS staff, airport and airline staff who have had contact with the patient and any necessary follow-up action will be taken.”
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