Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever in Bolivia

Abstract

Summary Since 1959, the tropical prairies of eastern Bolivia have been the site of an epidemic fever. The affected areas are sparsely populated. Epidemiological and clinical confirmation of the outbreak was accomplished by the authors in mid-1962. Thirty percent of 470 registered cases during four years have been fatal. A high attack rate was found among males over the age of 15 years. Through 1962 the disease had made its appearance at two distinct locations about 70 miles apart in the Department of Beni. The clinical syndrome includes fever, generalized aching and gastro-intestinal bleeding, leukopenia, and tremor of the tongue and hands. Clinically, it resembles the disease described in Argentina. There may be epidemiologic features in common. Additional investigations are in progress using San Joaquín as a base.