Dengue in Réunion

Published: July 10, 2018

ECDC has published the latest Rapid Risk Assessment on the outbreak of Dengue in Réunion.

Since the beginning of 2018, 5,747 autochthonous cases of dengue have been reported in Réunion. No fatal case directly attributable to dengue has been reported. Dengue virus in Réunion is not unexpected but the current outbreak is larger compared to the previous dengue outbreaks reported in the last 15 years. Aedes albopictus mosquito is the principal vector.

Some key facts:

• As no vaccine or prophylactic drugs are available, dengue fever prevention is based on protection against mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes have a diurnal biting pattern, both indoors and outdoors.
• The probability of onward transmission of dengue fever in the EU is associated with the importation of the virus by viraemic travellers into receptive areas (areas with established and active competent vectors).
• Travellers returning from areas where dengue virus transmission occurs should be advised to seek medical attention if presenting with symptoms compatible with dengue fever in the first two weeks after return.