Dengue, 2011

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., Aedes 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 2011, 6 cases (0.11 per 100,000 population) of dengue fever were reported in Minnesota residents. This was lower than the median of 10 cases per year (range, 6 to 20) in the 90 cases reported from 2004-2011. In 2011, the median case age was 32 years (range, 17 to 61 years). Four cases (67%) resided within the metropolitan area, including 3 cases in Dakota County. Onset of symptoms occurred from February through November. All of the cases represented imported infections acquired out of state or abroad. Most cases had traveled to Latin America (3) or Asia (2) but 1 had potential exposure to the virus in Florida.

• For up to date information see>> Reporting Dengue Virus Infection
  
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2011