Rare African Virus Claims the Life of an Eastern Iowa Resident
An Eastern Iowa resident who was being treated at the University of Iowa has died after suffering from a viral illness found in West Africa.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the death was reported Monday in a news release from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The Gazette reports that the middle-aged victim died from Lassa Fever, a viral illness that is spread by rats in West Africa. The victim had recently returned from travel to West Africa, where doctors believe they contracted the illness.
While Lassa Fever can be deadly, the Gazette reports that most people who are infected experience no symptoms or mild symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention symptoms can include headache, fever, vomiting, bleeding, and difficulty breathing. The virus is usually only spread when humans come into contact with the urine or feces of multimammate rats, which are found in West Africa. It can also be spread by contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person according to the Gazette.
The Gazette reports that in the past 55 years, there have only been 8 travel-associated cases of Lassa Fever in the United States. Iowa Health and Human Services is working with the University of Iowa Health Care, the CDC, and local officials to identify and monitor anyone who may have come into contact with the deceased person. Medical officials are assuring Iowans that the risk of transmission of the disease is "incredibly low."
The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.
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