[Fatal haemorrhagic rift valley fever: a case at Madagascar]

Med Trop (Mars). 2010 Apr;70(2):177-9.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Rift valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that can also infect humans. Haemorrhagic RVF is a severe potentially fatal form of the disease. Although haemorrhagic RVF accounts for only 1% of all infections, death occurs in up to 5% of cases. The purpose of this report is describe a severe case of haemorrhagic RVF observed in a 22-year-old cattle breeder admitted to the intensive care units of the Joseph Raseta Befelatanana University Hospitals in Antananarivo. The disease presented as an infectious syndrome but hemorrhagic manifestations developed early (day 2). They consisted of diffuse haemorrhage events (haemorrhagic vomit, gingival haemorrhage, skin haemorrhage, urinary haemorrhage, and haemorrhage on the venous puncture site). In spite of intensive care, haemorrhagic complications lead to death on day 4 of clinical evolution. Laboratory findings demonstrated alteration in liver function and coagulation disturbances. Multiple organ failure was also observed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure
  • Rift Valley Fever / diagnosis*
  • Rift Valley Fever / veterinary
  • Young Adult