Ben Fogle To Undergo Chemotherapy

27 March 2009

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Ben Fogle is set to undergo six weeks of chemotherapy as he battles a deadly flesh-eating bug.

The TV action man contracted the potentially fatal leishmaniasis bug last summer during a trip to Peru after being bitten by a sand fly.

Ben underwent months of treatment for the disease last year, and appeared to make a full recovery, but it has now returned.

I am really frustrated as I am normally so active. I am facing six weeks of chemotherapy and going to hospital for several hours a day to be put on drips.

The 'Extreme Dreams' host said: "I am really frustrated as I am normally so active. I am facing six weeks of chemotherapy and going to hospital for several hours a day to be put on drips."

Ben also admits his 500-mile trek to the South Pole with Olympic rower James Cracknell last December didn't help his condition.

However, Ben insists he will be well enough to promote his book about the trek, saying: "I have already signed up to launch it in person at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. It's an appointment I'm going to keep, come what may."

Leishmaniasisis, which can cause disfigurement, is a potentially life-threatening condition and those who are inflicted usually take months to recover.

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