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Iowa Resident Dies from Rare Lassa Fever After West Africa Trip

The CDC is confirming the diagnosis and conducting contact tracing to assess the low transmission risk in the U.S.

Transmission electron microscopic image of numerous Lassa virus particles grown in cell culture. The extracellular, spherical virions can vary in size and shape, and the black dots inside the particles are actually cellular ribosomes.
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A health official works in the laboratory extraction room of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Irrua, Edo State, midwest Nigeria, on March 6, 2018. Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa.
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Overview

  • The Iowa resident, who was middle-aged, died at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center after returning from West Africa.
  • Lassa fever is a viral disease spread by the multimammate rat, primarily found in West Africa, and is rarely seen in the U.S.
  • Transmission risk is low as the virus spreads through contact with infected rodents or bodily fluids, not casual contact.
  • Symptoms can range from mild fever and weakness to more severe cases involving bleeding and shock; the antiviral drug ribavirin can be effective if administered early.
  • This case marks only the ninth known instance of Lassa fever in the U.S. since 1969, with CDC monitoring close contacts for 21 days.