Dengue, 2010

Dengue fever, and the more clinically severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), is one of the most frequently occurring mosquito-borne diseases worldwide, with an estimated 50-100 million cases (including approximately 500,000 DHF cases and over 20,000 fatalities) each year. Four serotypes of dengue virus are transmitted to humans through the bite of certain Aedes genus mosquitoes (e.g. A. aegypti). The risk is widespread in tropical or subtropical regions around the world, especially where water-holding containers (e.g., waste tires, buckets, or cans) provide abundant mosquito breeding habitat.

In 2010, 14 cases (0.27 per 100,000 population) of dengue fever were reported in Minnesota residents. This represents a 56% increase from the 9 cases in 2009 and a 47% increase from the median number of cases reported annually from 2004 to 2009 (median, 9.5 cases; range, 6 to 20). The median case age was 48 years (range, 12 to 80 years). The majority of cases (93%) resided within the metropolitan area, including 6 (43%) cases in Hennepin County. Onset of symptoms occurred from February through November. All of the cases represented imported infections acquired abroad. Cases had travelled to Asia (7), Latin America (6), or Africa (1).

• For up to date information see>> Reporting Dengue Virus Infection
  
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2010