Rocio viral encephalitis; Rocio viral infection

Etiology

• Rocio virus

Epidemiology

• so far identified only in Brazil, 1st case in 1975
• infects mostly males of working age in rural Brazil (mosquito vector, see Rocio virus)
• most severe cases of Rocio virus infection occur in children & elderly patients

Pathology

• viral encephalitis

Clinical manifestations

• incubation period of 7-15 days
• initial symptoms
  • headaches
  • vomiting
  • conjunctivitis
  • pharyngitis
  • abdominal distension
• severe encephalitis may develop later
• death can occur within 5 days of symptom onset

Complications

• 5-25% case fatality
• 20% of survivors suffer permanent neurological damage

Management

• supportive

More general terms

• viral encephalitis