Travel-associated dengue--United States, 2005

Abstract

Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted, acute viral disease caused by any of four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, or DEN-4). Dengue is endemic in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world and has occurred among U.S. residents returning from travel to such areas. In collaboration with state health departments, CDC maintains a passive surveillance system for travel-associated dengue among U.S. residents. Suspected dengue in travelers is reported to state health departments, which forward specimens to CDC for diagnostic testing. A case of travel-associated dengue is defined as laboratory-diagnosed dengue in a resident of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia (DC) who traveled to a dengue-endemic area outside the United States or DC any time during the 14 days before symptom onset. This report summarizes information regarding 96 travel-associated dengue cases, including one fatality, among U.S. residents during 2005. Travelers to tropical areas can reduce their risk for dengue by using mosquito repellent and avoiding exposure to mosquitoes. Health-care providers should consider dengue in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness in patients who have returned recently from dengue-endemic areas.