Bolivian hemorrhagic fever /bəliv″ē·ən/ , a febrile illness caused by the Machupo virus generally transmitted by contact with or inhalation of aerosolized rodent urine and droppings or by eating food that is contaminated with infected rodent feces. Person-to-person infection has been documented, but it is very rare. After an incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks, the patient experiences chills, fever, weakness, headache, muscle ache, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, hypotension, dehydration, bradycardia, pulmonary edema, and internal hemorrhage may occur. The mortality rate may reach 30%; pulmonary edema is the most common cause of death. There is no specific therapy. Peritoneal dialysis is sometimes performed. Also called Machupo. See also Arenavirus, Argentine hemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever.
