A Mild Exanthematous Disease Seen in the Schouten Islands

Abstract

Summary The clinical features of 48 cases of an exanthematous disease seen on two of the Schouten Islands in the Southwest Pacific are presented. The main characteristics are a minimal degree of constitutional symptoms, low grade fever, an extensive maculo-papular rash with peculiar localizations on the ear, elbows and knees, swelling, tenderness and stiffness of various joints, commonly the knees, and general lymph node enlargement. The differential diagnosis is discussed. The similarity between this disease and an epidemic reported by Halliday and Horan in Northern Territory, Australia is pointed out. 4