[The epidemiological situation of dengue in America. The challenges for its surveillance and control]

The recent occurrence of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever has placed dengue in the agenda of priorities in many countries in the Americas. International efforts directed to the control of the epidemic are supported by the epidemiological surveillance of dengue cases and serotypes while control of the vector is still in need of innovative and more effective measures. These are the challenges to be met by countries in the region, where the laboratory should be incorporated as the key component of the surveillance system. The medical community requires adequate training in the diagnosis and treatment of the severe forms of dengue infection and the community should be deeply involved in the control strategies. Scant resources in the region impose serious constrains to the program which should be comprehensive, intensive and well coordinated. The medical services, the vector control personnel, the surveillance team, the civil authorities and the community have important roles to play in the control of dengue fever.