Emory Hospital treating man with Lassa fever

He was working as a missionary in Togo when he contracted it

A patient with a suspected case of Lassa fever has arrived at Emory University Hospital.

Officials with the university announced the news shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday.

On Friday, the officials said the university hospital would be working with the CDC and the Georgia Department of Health to transport the patient, who is reported to be an American medical worker who contracted the deadly virus in West Africa after doing missionary work in Togo.

Emory University Hospital

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagenic illness native to West Africa. Around 15-20 percent of victims hospitalized with the illness will die from it.

A hospital spokesperson said: “Our patient arrived early Saturday morning and is being treated in the Serious Communicable Diseases Unit at Emory University Hospital for symptoms consistent with a fever-related illness.”

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