Iowa Resident Dies from Lassa Fever After Traveling to West Africa
A middle-aged Iowa resident who recently visited West Africa has passed away from Lassa fever, state health officials confirmed on Monday. The risk of transmission in the state is said to be very low, according to Dr. Robert Kruse, the State Medical Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with local public health partners, are identifying individuals who may have been in close contact with the patient for monitoring.
Lassa fever, found mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa, is spread by West African multimammate rats, the only known carriers of the virus. The viral illness can manifest quickly with an incubation period of two to 21 days. In the past 55 years, there have only been eight travel-related cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. With 100,000 to 300,000 cases occurring annually in West Africa, about 5,000 individuals die from the disease each year.
Lassa fever is spread through contact with infected rats or their bodily fluids, or between people through contact with contaminated items. The University of Iowa Health Care system reassured the public that its facility remains safe for care and that the person with Lassa fever was not ill while traveling. Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, fatigue, headaches, and in severe cases, bleeding and respiratory issues. Treatment options involve antiviral medication and supportive therapy.
While the CDC recommends precautions for preventing the spread of Lassa virus, they note that person-to-person transmission has not been reported in the U.S. The overall fatality rate for the disease is about 1%, with severe cases reaching 15% or more. Health officials urge early treatment and rehydration to alleviate symptoms.
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