US: Iowan dies from rare Lassa Fever = CDC confirmed - October 28, 2024

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/10/28/iowan-dies-from-rare-lassa-fever/

Iowan dies from rare Lassa Fever
by Dar Danielson | Oct 28, 2024​

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the death of a state resident from a rare disease.

HHS says the middle-aged eastern Iowa resident is believed to have contracted Lassa Fever during a recent trip to West Africa. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to confirm the diagnosis.

Information from Iowa HHS says it is working closely with the University of Iowa Health Care, where the person was being treated, and the CDC to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient as a precaution for monitoring...

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip @lisaschnirring

State and Hospital Officials Follow Federal Guidance After Lassa Fever Death

• Monday, October 28, 2024
• News Release

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed the death of a middle-aged eastern Iowa resident from Lassa fever. The individual had recently returned from travel to West Africa, where it is believed they contracted the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to confirm the diagnosis of Lassa fever. Initial testing was done at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory on Monday.

“This is a difficult time for the family of this individual 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 continue to investigate and monitor this situation and are implementing the necessary public health protocols.”

Iowa HHS is working closely with the University of Iowa Health Care, where the individual was receiving care, the CDC and local public health partners to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient, out of an abundance of caution, for monitoring.

Lassa fever is not spread through casual human contact like hugging, shaking hands or sitting near someone or through the air. Though very rare, the virus can be transmitted from human to human contact through blood or bodily fluids. Lassa fever is carried by rodents in West Africa and is transmitted to humans who may come in contact with urine or feces of the infected rodents.

There have been eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. in the past 55 years. Approximately, 80% of those that contract Lassa fever have mild or no symptoms at all.

More information about Lassa fever is available on the CDC website​

https://hhs.iowa.gov/news-release/2...llow-federal-guidance-after-lassa-fever-death

 

[sharon sanders]

From:
"Media (CDC)" <sohco@CDC.GOV>
To: <MMWR-MEDIA@LISTSERV.CDC.GOV>
Subject: Lassa Fever Suspected in Death of U.S. Traveler Returning from West Africa
Date: Oct 28, 2024 5:57 PM​

Media Statement
For Immediate Release

Monday, October 28, 2024

Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286   


Lassa Fever Suspected in Death of U.S. Traveler Returning from West Africa
CDC assesses the risk to the general public is extremely low

The CDC and the Iowa Department of Health are investigating a suspected case of Lassa fever, which was diagnosed today in an Iowa resident who returned to the United States from West Africa early this month. The patient was not sick while traveling so the risk to fellow airline passengers is extremely low. The patient was hospitalized in isolation at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center when they died earlier this afternoon. Testing by the Nebraska Laboratory Response Network Lab early this morning found the illness was presumptively positive for Lassa fever and confirmatory testing is planned.

Lassa fever is a viral disease common in West Africa, but rarely seen in the United States. In West Africa, Lassa virus is carried by rodents and spread to humans through contact with urine or droppings of infected rodents. In rare cases, it can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, or through sexual contact. The virus is not spread through casual contact, and patients are not believed to be infectious before symptoms begin. About 100,000 to 300,000 cases of Lassa fever, and 5,000 deaths related to Lassa fever, occur in West Africa each year.

If confirmed, the Iowa suspected case would be the ninth known occurrence since 1969 of Lassa fever in travelers returning to the United States from areas where Lassa fever is commonly found.

CDC is supporting state and local public health officials from Iowa who are working to learn more about how the patient may have contracted Lassa fever. Early information suggests the patient may have had contact with rodents while in West Africa. CDC and other federal agencies have offered federal assistance to Iowa. People with Lassa fever can only transmit the illness when they have active symptoms and CDC is working with state public health officials to identify people who had contact with the patient after the patient’s symptoms began. Those identified as close contacts of the patient will be monitored for 21 days.

Additional information will be shared as we learn more about this patient. For more information about Lassa fever, see the CDC website at About Lassa Fever | Lassa Fever | CDC.​