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Lassa fever kills an Iowa resident. Here’s what to know about the rare virus and its symptoms.
A middle-aged Iowa resident who recently traveled to West Africa has died from Lassa fever, state health officials confirmed Monday.
“I want to assure Iowans that the risk of transmission is incredibly low in our state,” Dr. Robert Kruse, state medical director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, said in a news release. “We continue to investigate and monitor this situation and are implementing the necessary public health protocols.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health partners are working to identify anyone “who may have been in close contact with the patient, out of an abundance of caution, for monitoring,” the release added.
What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is a virus that is mostly found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. It is spread by West African multimammate rats, which are currently the only type known to carry Lassa virus, health officials say.
The viral illness can come on quickly once someone is infected, with an incubation period of between two to 21 days, the World Health Organization says.
In the past 55 years, there have been only eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever reported in the U.S. In 2015, a New Jersey man died after being diagnosed with the virus.
About 100,000 to 300,000 cases of Lassa fever occur in West Africa each year, and about 5,000 people die from it, according to the CDC.
How is Lassa fever spread?
People can get Lassa fever by having contact with infected rats or their saliva, urine or droppings, which may happen through contaminated food or household items.
Infection can also spread between people after contact with body fluids of an infected person. It is not spread through casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands or sitting near someone.
“People with Lassa fever are not contagious until after their symptoms begin,” the CDC notes.
The University of Iowa Health Care system, where the resident was treated, said the patient was cared for in its Special Pathogen Unit, which is a contained unit designed to safely handle infectious diseases, and assured the public that the hospital “remains a safe place to receive care.”
The CDC said the person was “not sick while traveling so the risk to fellow airline passengers is extremely low.”
While person-to-person transmission has not been previously reported in the U.S., the CDC does urge stepped up isolation precautions for viral hemorrhagic fevers like Lassa virus.
Lassa fever symptoms
While Lassa fever can be deadly, most people experience only mild symptoms, including slight fever, feeling tired and weak and headaches. Those general symptoms are similar to many other conditions, and health officials say most people with mild cases are never diagnosed.
About 1 in 5 people infected will develop a severe case of the disease, WHO says.
Some people may develop bleeding, vomiting, difficulty breathing, facial swelling and pain in the back, chest or stomach.
The overall case fatality rate for the disease is about 1%, “but can reach 15% or more among patients hospitalized with severe presentation,” according to WHO.
Health officials say treatment options may include an antiviral drug called ribavirin, which is most effective if given early on, and supportive therapy like painkillers and rehydration to help relieve symptoms.
contributed to this report.
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.