An Iowa resident has died from rare Lassa fever. What to know about the virus

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US delivered straight to your inbox every weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the death of an Iowa resident believed to have contracted Lassa fever after a recent trip to West Africa.

The patient was hospitalized in isolation at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center, where they died Monday afternoon, the agency revealed. The victim, who government officials identified as “middle-aged,” was not ill during the trip and the risk to other airline passengers was extremely low.

Preliminary information indicated that the patient may have had contact with rodents during their journey. The virus is typically carried by infected rodents and is spread to humans through contact with urine or feces.

“This is a difficult time for this person’s family and I want to express our deepest condolences,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

“I want to assure Iowans that the risk of transmission is incredibly low in our state. We are continuing to investigate and monitor this situation and are implementing the necessary public health protocols.”

The disease is a viral disease common in West Africa but not commonly seen in the United States.

In rare cases, it can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with a sick person’s blood, body fluids, mucous membranes or sexual contact, according to the CDC. The virus cannot be spread through casual contact, and patients are not contagious until they show symptoms, which can include fever, general weakness and malaise, according to the World Health Organization.

After a few days, a patient may develop headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, the patient may begin to show signs of facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract, and low blood pressure may develop.

Shock, seizures, tremors, disorientation and coma may follow. In 25 percent of cases, deafness may occur, but usually partially returns after one to three months. In fatal cases, patients usually die within 14 days.

Between 100,000 and 300,000 cases of Lassa fever are diagnosed each year. About 5,000 deaths related to the virus occur each year. About 80 percent of people who get the disease have mild or no symptoms.

If the CDC confirms the diagnosis, it would be only the ninth time a traveler returning to the United States has contracted the virus since 1969. People who had close contact with the patient will be monitored for 21 days.

The agency considers the virus a “category a” disease, meaning it could result in high mortality rates and cause public panic and social disruption. Anthrax, botulism, plague and smallpox are on the same list.

The agency intends to release additional information as the investigation remains ongoing.