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Dengue fever among Swedish tourists
B Wittesjö1, R Eitrem, B Niklasson
1Department of the Infectious Diseases, Central Hospital, Karlskrona, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Dengue fever was the most common imported arbovirus disease in Sweden (1989-1990), primarily affecting tourists infected in Thailand. Most patients recovered fully, though some experienced dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Arbovirology
Background:
- Dengue fever is a significant global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Understanding imported arbovirus diseases is crucial for public health surveillance in non-endemic countries.
Observation:
- A retrospective study identified dengue fever as the most frequent imported arbovirus disease among Swedish tourists between December 1989 and November 1990.
- Twenty-four cases were diagnosed, with the majority of infections (17/23) linked to travel in Thailand, predominantly during spring and early summer.
- Common clinical presentations included high fever, myalgia, headache, fatigue, and erythema, with laboratory findings showing leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia, and elevated liver enzymes.
Findings:
- Most patients (17) required hospitalization, but all recovered without long-term sequelae, except for one individual with pre-existing ataxia.
- Dengue virus type 1 was isolated from two patients who developed dengue hemorrhagic fever (grade II) during their primary infection.
Implications:
- This study highlights the importance of considering dengue fever in the differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses in travelers returning from endemic areas.
- Effective surveillance and diagnostic strategies are essential for managing imported arbovirus infections in Sweden and similar non-endemic regions.
- The findings underscore the need for public health awareness regarding dengue transmission patterns in popular tourist destinations like Thailand.