### Iowa Resident Dies from Rare Lassa Fever After West Africa Trip

An Iowa resident has succumbed to Lassa fever, as confirmed by the state's Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The individual, who had been on a recent trip to West Africa, was tested on Monday at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now working to confirm the diagnosis. The person's identity and age remain undisclosed.

"This is a difficult time for the family of this individual and I want to express our deepest condolences," stated Dr. Robert Kruse, state medical director of Iowa HHS, in an official release. Dr. Kruse also assured the public that the likelihood of the disease spreading within Iowa is extremely low, emphasizing that health officials are vigilantly monitoring the situation and enforcing necessary public health protocols.

The patient was being treated at the University of Iowa Health Care, which is collaborating closely with Iowa HHS, the CDC, and other local public health partners to aid in contact tracing and monitoring. Lassa fever, a hemorrhagic viral disease from West Africa, is typically spread by the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis).

"This is a very rare disease," noted Dr. Edward Liu, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He stressed the importance of monitoring close contacts of the infected individual to prevent further cases. The virus can spread through contact with infected rats or their bodily fluids, typically not through casual contact like hugging or shaking hands.

Most people experience mild symptoms such as slight fever, fatigue, weakness, and headache. However, severe cases can involve uncontrolled bleeding, shock, and organ pain. Symptoms generally appear one to three weeks after infection. Approximately 30% of those affected may suffer some degree of hearing loss, sometimes permanently. Pregnant women are particularly at risk for complications, including miscarriage.

Late-stage diagnostic testing and effective treatments include the antiviral drug Ribavirin, supported by rest, hydration, and symptom management. Prevention strategies emphasized by the CDC include avoiding contact with rats and storing food in rat-proof containers while in West Africa. Health care personnel are advised to utilize protective clothing and follow stringent infection control protocols when treating infected patients.