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

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

The patient’s initial tests were conducted 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 person’s family and I would like to express our deepest condolences,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, medical director of the IOWA HHS, said in the press release.

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

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

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

What is Lassa fever?

Lassa fever is a 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 certain 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 monitor close patient contact 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)

People can contract the fever through contact with infected rats or their saliva, urine or feces, 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 sufficient 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 near someone.

“People with Lassa fever are only contagious after their symptoms have started,” the agency said.

Not using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) or properly sterilizing healthcare equipment can cause the disease to spread. (iStock)

Below are some ways the virus can spread, as listed on the CDC’s website.

• Touching contaminated objects
• Eating food that contains the virus
• Contracting the virus through open cuts or sores
• Rodents eat
• Breathing air in which urine or feces is infected, which can happen when cleaning or sweeping
• Not using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) or not properly sterilizing healthcare equipment

Symptoms of infection

Although 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 cause uncontrolled bleeding and shock,” Lui warned.

Those with mild illness may have 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, swelling of the face, shock, and pain in the chest, back, and abdomen.

Symptoms typically begin 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% of people experiencing some degree of deafness, according to the CDC. In some cases, hearing loss can be permanent.

Pregnant women are at high risk of miscarriage if they are 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 care – including rest, hydration and treatment of symptoms – is recommended for people 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.

Prevent Lassa fever

According to the CDC, the best way to avoid getting Lassa fever 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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Healthcare workers should wear protective clothing, sterilize equipment and follow other infection control protocols when caring for infected patients, the agency added.