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.

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.