Dengue outbreak amongst travellers returning from Cuba-GeoSentinel surveillance network, January-September 2022

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Dengue virus is a significant global health concern, transmitted by mosquitoes.
• Arboviral outbreaks pose challenges for surveillance and control, particularly in tourist destinations.
• International travel facilitates the rapid spread of infectious diseases across borders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an increase in dengue virus infections among travellers returning from Cuba.
• To emphasize the role of travellers as sentinels for arboviral outbreaks.
• To underscore the necessity of prompt identification of travel-related dengue cases.

Main Methods:

• Data collection through the GeoSentinel Network.
• Monitoring of traveller health reports from June to September 2022.
• Analysis of dengue virus infection trends in returning travellers.

Main Results:

• A notable increase in dengue virus infections was observed in travellers returning from Cuba.
• The reported cases correlated with an ongoing dengue outbreak in Cuba during the specified period.
• GeoSentinel Network identified a pattern of travel-associated arboviral disease.

Conclusions:

• Travellers returning from endemic areas can serve as crucial early indicators of arboviral outbreaks.
• Early detection and reporting of travel-related dengue are essential for public health interventions.
• Strengthened surveillance of travel-related illnesses is vital for global health security.