A middle aged one resident of Iowa died of Lassa fever, according to an alert from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The person, whose name and age were not shared, had recently returned to the state after traveling West Africait is shown in the press release.

Initial testing of the patient was performed Monday at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is “working to confirm the diagnosis,” according to Iowa HHS.

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“This is a difficult time for this individual’s family and I want to express my deepest condolences,” Dr. Robert Kruse, IOWA HHS state medical director, said in the statement.

Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic viral infection spread by rats in West Africa. (iStock)

“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 implement the necessary measures. public health protocols”.

The patient received care at the University of Iowa Health Care, which is working closely with Iowa HHS, CDC and other local public health partners to assist with contact tracing and monitoring, according to the release.

What is Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is hemorrhagic viral infection spread by rats in West Africa, according to Edward Liu, MD, chief of infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

The viral disease is transmitted by a specific type of rat called the “multimammate rat,” or Mastomys natalensis (Mastomys), according to the CDC.

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“This is a very rare disease,” Liu told Fox News Digital.

“Public health will need to track close contacts of the patient to ensure there are no further cases of Lassa fever.”

“Diagnostic testing can be performed in a laboratory with a high level of biosafety and enhanced infection prevention and control measures,” the CDC noted. (iStock)

People can catch the fever through contact with infected rats or their saliva, urine or droppings, the same source said.

“Lassa fever can also spread between people through close contact with bodily fluids,” Lui told Fox News Digital.

“Casual contact is not enough to transmit Lassa fever.”

“Lassa is usually a mild disease, but in severe cases it can cause uncontrolled bleeding and shock.”

The CDC has confirmed that Lassa fever is not spread by hugging, shaking hands, or sitting next to someone.

“People with Lassa fever are not contagious until after their symptoms appear,” the agency said.

Failure to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) or improper sterilization of equipment in health care facilities can lead to the spread of disease. (iStock)

Below are some of the ways in which the virus can spreadas listed on the CDC website.

• Touching contaminated objects
• Eat foods that have the virus
• The appearance of the virus in open cuts or wounds
• Eating rodents
• Breathing in air that has infected urine or feces, which may occur when cleaning or sweeping
• Failure to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) or improper sterilization of equipment in health care settings

Symptoms of infection

While about 80% of people experience only mild symptoms, it can be fatal in rare cases.

“Lassa is usually a mild disease, but in severe cases it can cause uncontrolled bleeding and shock,” Lui warned.

Those with mild illness may have a mild fever, fatigue, weakness and headacheAccording to the CDC.

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In some cases, fever can cause bleeding, breathing difficultiesvomiting, swelling of the face, shock and pain in the chest, back and abdomen.

Symptoms usually start within one to three weeks after a person is infected.

The antiviral drug Ribavirin has been shown to be effective in treating the infection, the CDC said. (iStock)

Hearing loss is a known effect of Lassa fever, with about 30 percent of people experiencing some level of deafness, the CDC said. In some cases, hearing loss can be permanent.

Pregnant women face a high risk of miscarriage if infected.

Diagnosis and treatment

Anyone who has visited West Africa and has symptoms should seek medical attention.

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“Diagnostic testing can be done in a high biosafety and enhanced laboratory infection prevention and control precautions,” the CDC noted.

Supportive care—including rest, hydration, and treatment of symptoms—is recommended for those with Lassa fever. (iStock)

The antiviral drug Ribavirin has been shown to be effective in treating the infection.

Supportive care – including rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms – is also recommended.

Prevention of Lassa fever

The best way to prevent Lassa fever, according to the CDC, is to stay away from rats when visiting West Africa.

It is also recommended to store food in rat-proof containers, trap rats in and around houses, and avoid eating rats.

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Medical staff should wear protective clothing, sterilize equipment and follow other infection control protocols when caring for infected patients, the agency added.