Epidemiological Analysis on Suspected Dengue Fever Cases Detected at International Ports in Taiwan during 2008-2011

The threat of importing dengue fever virus (DNV) is constantly increasing in Taiwan because of the number of travelers arriving and departing Taiwan increased yearly due to globalization and open policy on international tourism, and the Southeast Asian areas where dengue fever epidemic situations become severe gradually are the most popular tourist attractions for Taiwan's citizens. In the meanwhile, international airports trend to minimize the interference with travelers, the resources for prevention and control of infectious diseases are limited although the number of international travelers is increasing, how to provide convenient service for travelers and simultaneously assure the control of infectious disease and national security have become an important issue. This study conducted analysis on 17,862 travelers with suspected dengue fever symptoms identified at international ports in Taiwan during 2008-2011. More than a half (53.8%) of them travels for tourism. However, the number of confirmed imported dengue fever cases is evenly distributed in groups of travelers for business, relatives-visiting, and tourism. The risk of dengue fever infection in travelers returning to their hometown for visiting relatives is 10.4 times (95% CI: 6.9~15.6%) higher, as compared with tourist groups. In order to conduct effective disease control measures and to provide convenient customs clearance service, we recommend that suspected dengue fever cases from tourist groups should be provided with health education and be required to seek medical services instead of collecting specimens for dengue fever virus testing. In addition, health education organized for new immigrants about the prevention and control of infectious diseases should strengthen.