Patient 2
A 13-year-old boy residing in Aïoun city, southern Mauritania, was
referred from Aïoun hospital center on August 19, 2021, for better
management of hyperthermia and psychomotor agitation. Past medical
history indicated that a stray dog bit the patient on the left cheek
and chest three weeks earlier (July 31, 2021). On admission, a scar at
the site of the bite, restlessness, intermittent spastic hypertonia,
psychomotor agitation, persecutory delirium, fever, hydrophobia, and
excessive salivation were observed. These symptoms were reported to
occur since 36 hours prior to admission. The diagnosis of rabies
encephalitis was retained on the basis of clinical presentation.
Symptomatic treatment was administered without success. The results of
routine clinical laboratory tests were normal. The patient was
discharged against medical advice and died two days later. The
investigation around the case made it possible to find an undeclared
case in Aïoun but further detailed information was not obtained.