DES MOINES, Iowa (KWQC) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the death of a middle-aged eastern Iowa resident from Lassa fever, according to a news release.

The individual recently returned from travel to West Africa, where officials say they believe is where the individual contracted the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to confirm the diagnosis of Lassa fever, the news release said. Initial tests were done Monday at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory.

“This is a difficult time for this person’s family and I want to express my deepest condolences. I want to reassure 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 received 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. , the press release states.

The CDC says the very rare Lassa fever is spread through blood or body fluids, not through the air or human contact. It is carried by rodents in West Africa and transmitted to humans who may come into contact with the urine or feces of infected rodents.

There have been eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. in the past 55 years, according to the CDC. About 80% of those who contract Lassa fever have mild to no symptoms.

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