An unusual tourist. A case of a body packer’s death in Botswana

Abstract

Death as a result of body packing syndrome is not well described within Africa (including Botswana) and therefore not commonly considered in a differential diagnosis. We describe a fatal presentation of a toxicological emergency related to body packing that was initially mistaken for an infective cause. Case report: A 43-year-old Tanzanian male presented to the Princess Marina Hospital Emergency Centre with acute vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. He started with massive haematemesis and deteriorated quickly into cardiac arrest with attempts to resuscitate him proving futile. The main concern was for haemorrhagic fever but this was disproven on post mortem when 66 wrapped packages were found in his intestines. Discussion: Patients involved in drug trafficking can present to any emergency centre. The acute presentation may mimic other, more prevalent conditions. In the event of death, an understanding of local legal and public health procedures is necessary to ensure a structured investigation.