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.