IOWA, USA — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are currently investigating a suspected case of Lassa fever in an Iowa resident who died shortly after returning from a trip to West Africa earlier this month, according to a release.
Lassa fever is a disease typically spread by rats in West Africa, though rare in the United States.
West Africa sees anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 cases of Lassa fever each year, and an estimated 5,000 deaths on average. It typically spreads when humans come into contact with the urine or droppings of infected rodents, but can rarely be transmitted from person to person contact.
The patient, who is unnamed at this time, was not sick while traveling, meaning the risk to other passengers on the affected Iowan's plane is "extremely low" according to CDC officials.
The CDC is working with Iowa officials to learn how the individual may have caught the disease, with early reports suggesting they had contact with rodents while in West Africa. Those who were close with the affected person will be monitored by the CDC and state officials for 21 days to ensure a lack of spread.
If the case is confirmed by officials, it will be the ninth known occurrence since 1969 of Lassa fever being found in those returning to the U.S. from areas where Lassa Fever is common.
"This is a difficult time for the family of this individual and I want to express our deepest condolences," Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. "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."
How does Lassa fever spread? Is it contagious?
Transmission from person to person comes through contact with the infected person's blood or body fluids, but does not spread through casual contact. Patients are not believed to be infectious before symptoms begin.
What are the symptoms of Lassa fever?
Symptoms can include:
- Slight fever
- Feeling tired and weak
- Headache
More serious symptoms may include:
- Bleeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Facial swelling
- Pain in the chest, back and abdomen
- Shock