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Article: Imported Lassa fever--New Jersey, 2004.
- Article from:
- MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
- Article date:
- October 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Government Printing Office. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Lassa fever is an acute viral illness caused by Lassa virus, which is hosted by rodents in the Mastamoys natalensis species complex and rarely imported to countries outside of those areas in Africa where the disease is endemic (1). Lassa fever is characterized by fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and chest and abdominal pain. Approximately 15%20% of patients hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the illness; however, approximately 80% of human infections with Lassa virus are mild or asymptomatic, and 1% of infections overall result in death (1). On August 28, 2004, a man aged 38 years residing in New Jersey died from Lassa fever after returning from ...