Tourism Often Leads to Dengue Infection

Throughout the global Dengue outbreak of 2024, vacationers have asked how to avoid this mosquito-transmitted disease. Most travel vaccination experts say don't visit an endemic destination.

According to the most extensive analysis of international travel-related Dengue to date published by the Journal of Travel Medicine (Volume 31, Issue 7, October 2024), the most frequent regions of Dengue acquisition were South East Asia (50.4%), South Central Asia (14.9%), the Caribbean (10.9%) and South America (9.2%).

In the Region of the Americas, 43 countries and territories have reported over 12,576,159 Dengue cases and 7,656 related deaths in 2024. Brazil has confirmed the most cases of Dengue, followed by Mexico and other countries.

This analysis found that tourism was the most frequent reason for visiting these countries (67.3%).

Furthermore, this analysis revealed some good news.

While Dengue is a benign, self-limiting disease in most travelers, it can be unpleasant, with flu-like symptoms. Severe Dengue in travelers is rare, occurring in just 0.5% of the data sample. A previous, smaller study in Israel reported that 1.6% of international travelers have severe Dengue. 

As of December 2024, 52 jurisdictions in the United States had reported 7,858 Dengue cases, most of which were travel-related. This is an increase of about 19% compared with 2023.

The unfortunate leaders are California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas.

In June 2024, the U.S. CDC updated a Health Alert Network Health Advisory, notifying healthcare providers, public health authorities, and the public of an increased risk of Dengue while traveling abroad. The CDC says clinicians should consider Dengue in patients with fever who live in or recently traveled to areas with risk of Dengue.

However, detecting Dengue requires specific tests unavailable to most healthcare providers.

"Educating international travelers about the potential disease risks from insect bites while traveling and ways to avoid insect bites while traveling should be part of a travel consultation with a travel health specialist," commented Beverly Schaefer, RPh.

"Avoiding bug bites is most travelers' top goal for staying healthy while abroad," added Schaefer with Katterman's Sand Point Pharmacy, Seattle, WA 98105.

From a Dengue-prevention perspective, one vaccine is in high demand but is in limited supply in 2024. Furthermore, access is restricted in the U.S. as the Qdenga vaccine is not FDA-approved.

But, according to recent news, new Dengue vaccine candidates may become authorized in 2025, increasing access and protection options for international travelers.