Febrile rhabdomyolysis in African migrants coming to Italy through the Mediterranean Sea: A report of four cases

Abstract

Introduction: In the last years many migrants, mostly from Africa and Middle East, are trying to reach Europe through theMediterranean Sea. The crossing of the sea is usually associated to several problems, as overcrowding, promiscuous contacts withother people, physical and psychological distresses, malnutrition, dehydration and prolonged sunshine exposure.

Case presentation: We report the cases of four young people (three males and one female) African refugees presenting, afterabout 4 weeks from arrival in Europe, a febrile illness with high fever, severe prostration and very intense muscle aches withimpossibility to stand and walk. Viral serology was not univocal. The patients recovered completely in almost a week.

Conclusions: We think that migrants of Refugees Centres should undergo to medical visits to check their clinical status and, incase of febrile illnesses, evaluated to understand the causes and the pathophysiology of these febrile diseases. It is also importantto collect and register, from different European Refugee Centers through an International Organization, similar cases to prevent, in case of contagious diseases, the possible diffusion inside the Centres but also in the Community.