Dengue, a widespread arboviral disease, poses a significant health threat globally and can be fatal if not treated promptly. A recent analysis focused on travel-related dengue cases in the United States reported 7,528 confirmed or probable cases between 2010 and 2021, with a notable surge in 2019. During that year, there were 1,474 cases, representing a 168% increase compared to the annual average from 2010 to 2018 and 2020 to 2021, which averaged around 550 cases per year. Moreover, this figure was 61% higher than the 913 cases reported in 2016, the second-highest year on record. The analysis also assessed the number of cases in relation to air travel volume to international destinations outside North America and Europe. In 2019, there were 41.9 cases of dengue per million trips, a considerably higher rate compared to other years from 2010 to 2021, which had 21.0 cases per million trips on average. The study aimed to compare the characteristics of travel-related dengue cases reported in the United States in 2019 with those reported from 2010 to 2018 and 2020 to 2021. It highlighted that areas with favorable conditions for dengue transmission are expanding, increasing the risk for U.S. travelers. As a result, travelers should be vigilant about the possibility of dengue infection and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites when visiting areas at risk.
Healthcare providers also play a crucial role in recognizing dengue as a common cause of fever in returning travelers. They should be knowledgeable about the disease's signs, symptoms, testing, and management. It's important to note that dengue vaccines are not currently recommended for U.S. travelers, underscoring the significance of preventive measures such as mosquito bite prevention in areas with dengue risk.
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