Where Is Dengue Infecting Vacationers

A recent study highlighted where international travelers most frequently contract the mosquito-transmitted dengue virus.

The Annuals of Internal Medicines published Original Research on June 20, 2023, with new data from a retrospective chart review and analysis of international travelers with complicated dengue from January 2007 through July 2022.

In the Region of the Americas, 46 countries and territories reported dengue cases in 2022.

These travelers acquired dengue most frequently in the Caribbean (31%) and Southeast Asia (24%).

In the U.S., people in Florida are most often infected with dengue in 2023.

The most frequent reasons for travel were tourism (46%) and visiting friends and relatives (32%).

And the median age was 34 years, with 56% of the dengue infections being female.

These researchers concluded with some good news.... complicated dengue is relatively rare in travelers.

However, clinicians should monitor patients with dengue closely for warning signs that may indicate progression to severe disease.

Before the start of the high season of dengue transmission in Central America and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended that Member States prepare response plans to face possible dengue outbreaks to avoid deaths and complications from these diseases.

The WHO reported 2.8 million dengue cases in the Americas in 2022, representing a two-fold increase compared to 2021.

Of note, the countries with the most severe dengue cases included Cuba, Honduras, Colombia, Panama, Paraguay, Guatemala, Grenada, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands. 

According to the WHO, dengue is a flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. While many infections are asymptomatic or produce only mild illness, dengue infections can occasionally cause more severe cases and even death.

As of June 24, 2023, two dengue vaccines are authorized in various countries. And infections are detectable by confidential dengue tests offered by Ulta Labs.

This research was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the International Society of Travel Medicine e, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the GeoSentinel Foundation.