Argentine woman dies from rare hemorrhagic fever linked to rodents

A 65-year-old woman from Rosario, Argentina's third-largest city, died last month from Argentine hemorrhagic fever, or FHA, a rare but severe disease transmitted by rodents, according to Dr. Matías Lahitte, an Argentine infectious disease specialist.

The patient presented with high fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. Blood tests showed dangerously low counts of white blood cells and platelets. She died less than a week after initial examination.

Argentine hemorrhagic fever is caused by a virus spread through contact with infected rodents. The disease can cause internal hemorrhaging, seizures, and comas. Both the United States and the Soviet Union investigated the virus as a potential biological weapons agent.

Dr. Lahitte noted the lack of public awareness surrounding the disease. "It is surprising that more is not said about it," he said, describing FHA as "persistent and debilitating."

The woman's death is part of an alarming resurgence of the disease in South America, according to available reports. Argentine hemorrhagic fever remains a significant public health concern in the region, though cases remain relatively rare compared to other infectious diseases.