The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed that an Eastern Iowa resident who recently returned from travel to West Africa tested positive for Lassa fever, a viral illness not commonly seen in the United States but known in other parts of the world.
UI Health Care’s dedicated faculty and staff recently cared for this patient in our Special Pathogen Unit, which is a contained unit at our university campus hospital that is intended to safely and securely care for patients with similar infectious diseases.
We provided excellent, specialized care for the patient during the short time they were in our care. The patient has since passed away. We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones during this time.
The safety of our patients, visitors, and staff is our top priority, and we were prepared for this. We have a world-class team of infectious disease experts and the state’s only Special Pathogen Unit. While Lassa fever is not commonly seen in the U.S., the prevention and treatment of the disease has been well-studied globally. It is not an airborne disease. It is transmitted through bodily fluids.
We are following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as working closely with Iowa HHS, the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Biocontainment Unit, and other organizations. UI Health Care continues to work with these groups on a coordinated response.
We want to assure you that UI Health Care remains a safe place to receive care.
