Dengue Fever in Southeast Asia

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20160607.32(11).002

Hsiao-Chi Wang^1＊, Chia-Lin Lee¹, Ding-Ping Liu¹, Tsung-Chiang Fu²

2016 Vol.32 NO.11

Correspondence Author： Hsiao-Chi Wang^1＊

Abstract：

Dengue fever has spread substantially over the past 50 years, with 70% of cases in Southeast Asia. High temperature, international population movement and socioeconomic factors affect the epidemic dynamics of dengue fever worldwide. We systematically reviewed the epidemic pattern in Southeast Asia to estimate the trends of imported dengue fever and, if necessary, enhance entry screening at airports in Taiwan.

Based on the information released by WHO and public health authorities of Southeast Asian countries in 2007–2014, the trend of dengue fever surged, particularly in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The major epidemics occurred at 3–5 year intervals and the dengue epidemic season ranges roughly from May to October. Most dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever cases were children under15 years of age and adults 20–44 years of age. The case fatality rate of dengue has declined or remained the same while the age of dengue death has increased annually.

Overall, Taiwanese traveling to Southeast Asia during the epidemic season have higher risk of contracting dengue fever. Monitoring the epidemic dynamics in Southeast Asia helps to estimate the trend of imported cases in Taiwan. The irregularity of dengue statistics publications and divergent case definitions of severe dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever among countries limit the international comparison of disease burden. We recommend that information exchange framework of infectious diseases should be established to improve data completeness and standardization.