Enhanced Surveillance for Fatal Dengue-Like Acute Febrile Illness in Puerto Rico, 2010-2012.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dengue is a leading cause of morbidity throughout the tropics; however, accurate population-based estimates of mortality rates are not available.

Methods/principal findings

We established the Enhanced Fatal Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance System (EFASS) to estimate dengue mortality rates in Puerto Rico. Healthcare professionals submitted serum and tissue specimens from patients who died from a dengue-like acute febrile illness, and death certificates were reviewed to identify additional cases. Specimens were tested for markers of dengue virus (DENV) infection by molecular, immunologic, and immunohistochemical methods, and were also tested for West Nile virus, Leptospira spp., and other pathogens based on histopathologic findings. Medical records were reviewed a

SUBMITTER: Tomashek KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5058557 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature