VENEZUELAN HEMORRHAGIC-FEVER - CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES OF 165 CASES

Epidemiological and clinical data are presented on 165 cases of Venezu elan hemorrhagic fever (VHF), a newly emerging viral zoonosis caused b y Guanarito virus (of the family Arenaviridae). The disease is endemic in a relatively circumscribed area of central Venezuela. Since its fi rst recognition in 1989, the incidence of VHF has peaked each year bet ween November and January, during the period of major agricultural act ivity in the region of endemicity. The majority of cases have involved male agricultural workers. Principal symptoms among the patients with VHF included fever, malaise, headache, arthralgia, sore throat, vomit ing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, conclusions, and a variety of hemorrhag ic manifestations, The majority of patients also had leukopenia and th rombocytopenia. The overall fatality rate among the 165 cases was 33.3 %,, despite hospitalization and,vigorous supportive care.