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

The person, whose name and age were not released, recently returned to the state after a trip to West Africa, the release said.

The patient’s initial testing was conducted Monday at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is “working to confirm the diagnosis,” Iowa HHS said.

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“This is a difficult time for this person’s family and I would like to express our deepest condolences,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, state medical director of the IOWA HHS, in the press release.

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

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

The patient was being cared for by University of Iowa Health Care, which is working closely with Iowa HHS, the CDC and other local public health partners to assist with contact tracing and surveillance, the release said.

What is Lassa fever?

According to Dr. According to Edward Liu, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic viral infection transmitted by rats in West Africa.

The viral disease is transmitted by a specific species 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 must monitor the patient’s close contacts 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 precautions,” the CDC noted. (iStock)

According to the same source, humans can become infected with the fever through contact with infected rats or their saliva, urine or feces.

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

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

Failure to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings or to properly sterilize equipment can lead to the spread of the disease. (iStock)

Here are some ways the virus can spread, as listed on the CDC website.

• Touching contaminated objects
• Eating foods that contain the virus
• Infection with the virus through open cuts or wounds
• eat rodents
• Inhaling air that contains infected urine or feces, which can occur when cleaning or sweeping
• Healthcare settings are not using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) or not properly sterilizing equipment

Symptoms of infection

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

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

People with mild illness may experience a low-grade fever, fatigue, weakness and headache, according to the CDC.

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In some cases, the fever can cause bleeding, difficulty breathing, vomiting, facial swelling, shock, and pain in the chest, back, and abdomen.

Symptoms typically begin one to three weeks after infection.

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

According to the CDC, hearing loss is a known effect of Lassa fever, with about 30% of people experiencing some degree of deafness. In some cases, hearing loss can be permanent.

Pregnant women are at high risk of miscarriage if infected.

Diagnosis and treatment

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

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

Supportive measures – including rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms – are recommended for people with Lassa fever. (iStock)

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

Supportive measures – including rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms – are also recommended.

Prevent Lassa fever

The best way to prevent contracting 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 homes, and avoid eating rats.

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