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Imported tropical virus infections in Germany
H Schmitz1, P Emmerich, J ter Meulen
1Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Archives of Virology. Supplementum
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Hundreds of Dengue fever cases are imported into Germany annually. Hemorrhagic fever is rare due to differing living conditions, but improved diagnostic tests like antibody tests and RT-PCR are now available.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dengue fever is frequently imported into Germany annually.
- Hemorrhagic fever cases are seldom diagnosed in Germany.
- Discrepancies in living conditions between tropical regions and European/North American travelers may influence disease presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the incidence of imported Dengue fever and hemorrhagic fever in Germany.
- To investigate reasons for the low diagnosis rate of hemorrhagic fever.
- To highlight advancements in Dengue virus detection methods.
Main Methods:
- Routine testing for tropical viruses.
- Analysis of imported Dengue fever and hemorrhagic fever case data in Germany.
- Development and implementation of advanced diagnostic techniques.
Main Results:
- Several hundred Dengue fever cases are imported into Germany each year.
- Hemorrhagic fever cases are rarely diagnosed.
- New methods for Dengue virus detection, including antibody tests and RT-PCR, have been developed.
Conclusions:
- Imported Dengue fever is a significant concern in Germany.
- Environmental and host factors likely influence hemorrhagic fever occurrence in travelers.
- Enhanced diagnostic capabilities improve the detection of Dengue virus infections.