09.03.04 :
Lassa Fever
State health officials in New Jersey
have reported the first case of Lassa fever in the United
States since 1989. A 38 year old man, living in the Trenton
area of New Jersey, died August 28, 2004 at the hospital
after massive kidney and liver failure. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention confirmed the cause of death as Lassa
fever.
The man recently traveled to Liberia
where it is thought that he may have contracted the virus.
Lassa fever is considered to be common in West Africa. Officials
believe that this case will remain an isolated case.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic
fever that can be transmitted via droppings and urine though
the reservoir host, the multimammate mouse. The virus can
also be spread person to person in bodily fluids.
The CFSPH has developed a fact sheet
on Lassa fever. This file may be downloaded from this site
by right clicking on the link below and selecting "Save
Target As..."
 (PDF
298KB)  (PPT
1.4MB)
Source: Associated Press
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