### Iowa Resident Dies from Suspected Lassa Fever Following West Africa Trip

An individual from Iowa has passed away after being diagnosed with a suspected case of Lassa fever, officials have announced. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IDHHS), the patient, who had recently traveled to West Africa, tested positive for the disease last Tuesday.

Lassa fever, a viral illness mainly found in West Africa, is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or droppings of infected multimammate rats, also known as Mastomys rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the disease as an acute viral hemorrhagic illness that can become life-threatening. The CDC notes that this particular type of rat is prevalent in countries such as Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

Since its first documented case in Nigeria in 1969, instances of Lassa fever outside West Africa have been exceedingly rare. Over the past 55 years, there have been only eight travel-related cases in the United States, making it an uncommon occurrence on American soil.

After returning to the U.S. earlier this month, the Iowa patient was isolated and treated at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center in Iowa City, where they ultimately succumbed to the illness. Despite this tragic event, health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low.

Lassa fever can be difficult to diagnose due to its non-specific symptoms, which often appear one to three weeks after infection. According to the CDC, about 80% of Lassa fever cases are mild, featuring symptoms such as slight fever, fatigue, and headaches. The remaining 20% of cases can escalate to severe symptoms, including bleeding, facial swelling, and organ failure. Mortality rates for those who become seriously ill and require hospitalization are around 15%.

Transmission of the virus primarily occurs through direct contact with infected rodent excreta, but person-to-person transmission is also possible through contact with bodily fluids. Unlike airborne diseases such as COVID-19, Lassa fever requires fluid contact for transmission, minimizing the risk of spread through casual interaction.

Currently, there are no vaccines available to prevent Lassa fever, and the best preventative measures include avoiding contact with rats and maintaining clean living conditions. The antiviral drug Ribavirin can be effective if administered soon after symptoms appear.

Experts like Dr. Albert Ko from the Yale School of Public Health underscore that while Lassa fever is a significant public health issue in West Africa, the risk of widespread transmission outside the region is minimal. This contained nature of Lassa fever, coupled with early identification and isolation of infected individuals, helps mitigate its spread.