Dengue Trends and Seasonality in Travelers
Author Information
Author(s): Schwartz Eli, Weld Leisa H., Wilder-Smith Annelies, von Sonnenburg Frank, Keystone Jay S., Kain Kevin C., Torresi Joseph, Freedman David O.
Primary Institution: GeoSentinel Surveillance Network
Hypothesis
What are the seasonality and annual trends for dengue cases among returned travelers?
Conclusion
Dengue cases among travelers show specific seasonal peaks and can indicate the onset of epidemic activity in certain regions.
Supporting Evidence
- Dengue accounts for up to 2% of all illness in returned travelers who visit GeoSentinel clinics.
- Travel-related dengue showed annual oscillations with several epidemics occurring during the study period.
- Dengue proportionate morbidity increased significantly during epidemic years compared to nonepidemic years.
Takeaway
Dengue is a sickness that can happen to people who travel, and it tends to be worse during certain times of the year in different places.
Methodology
Data was collected from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network, analyzing reports from ill travelers who visited specialized clinics.
Potential Biases
Patients seeking treatment at specialized clinics may have more severe cases, potentially skewing the data.
Limitations
Findings may not represent all returned travelers as data is limited to those seen in specialized travel medicine clinics.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of dengue patients was 33.8 years, with a male:female ratio of 1.17:1; 69.3% traveled for tourism.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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