Suspected Lassa Fever Death In Iowa: Know Symptoms, Complications Of Rare Viral Infection

The health officials are trying to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient. (Credit: Image by mrsiraphol)

Health officials are probing the death of an Iowa resident possibly tied to Lassa fever, a potentially deadly viral infection rarely reported in the U.S.

The middle-aged eastern Iowa resident is believed to have contracted the infection after returning from travel to West Africa early this month. Lassa fever is endemic to regions of West Africa where it is spread through infected "multimammate rats".