Eastern Iowa Resident Dies Of Rare Lassa Fever

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that a middle-aged eastern Iowa resident has died from Lassa fever which is rare in the state. Officials say that the individual had recently returned from travel to West Africa, where it is believed they contracted the virus.

The CDC is working to confirm the diagnosis of Lassa fever, according to the release. Initial testing was done at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory on Monday.

Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said in the announcement,

“This is a difficult time for the family of this individual and I want to express our deepest condolences. I want to assure Iowans that the risk of transmission is incredibly low in our state. We continue to investigate and monitor this situation and are implementing the necessary public health protocols.”

Officials with Iowa HHS are working closely with the University of Iowa Health Care, where the individual was receiving care, the CDC, and local public health partners to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient, out of an abundance of caution, for monitoring.

Get our free mobile app

Lassa fever is not spread through casual human contact like hugging, shaking hands, or sitting near someone or through the air. Though very rare, the virus can be transmitted from human to human contact through blood or bodily fluids.

Lassa fever is carried by rodents in West Africa and is transmitted to humans who may come in contact with the urine or feces of the infected rodents.

There have been eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. in the past 55 years. Approximately, 80% of those that contract Lassa fever have mild or no symptoms at all.