Travel-related dengue virus infection, The Netherlands, 2006-2007

Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 May;17(5):821-8. doi: 10.3201/eid1705.101125.

Abstract

To assess the incidence of and risk factors for clinical and subclinical dengue virus (DENV) infection, we prospectively studied 1,207 adult short-term travelers from the Netherlands to dengue-endemic areas. Participants donated blood samples for serologic testing before and after travel. Blood samples were tested for antibodies against DENV. Seroconversion occurred in 14 (1.2%) travelers at risk. The incidence rate was 14.6 per 1,000 person-months. The incidence rate was significantly higher for travel during the rainy months. Dengue-like illness occurred in 5 of the 14 travelers who seroconverted. Seroconversion was significantly related to fever, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, and skin rash. The risk for DENV infection for short-term travelers to dengue-endemic areas is substantial. The incidence rate for this study is comparable with that in 2 other serology-based prospective studies conducted in the 1990s.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Dengue / epidemiology*
  • Dengue / immunology
  • Dengue / transmission*
  • Dengue Virus / immunology
  • Dengue Virus / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Serologic Tests
  • Travel*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral