Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemic in Southern Vietnam, 1998
Author Information
Author(s): Do Quang Ha, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Vu Thi Que Huong, Huynh Thi Kim Loan, Cao Minh Thang
Primary Institution: Pasteur Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Conclusion
The 1998 dengue hemorrhagic fever epidemic in southern Vietnam resulted in 119,429 cases and 342 deaths, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
Supporting Evidence
- The incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever has steadily increased in Vietnam since 1963.
- In 1998, the epidemic affected 19 provinces with a case-fatality rate of 0.29%.
- DEN-3 was identified as the predominant serotype during the epidemic.
Takeaway
In 1998, a lot of kids and adults got really sick from dengue fever in southern Vietnam, and many of them died. The virus that caused this was mostly a new type called DEN-3.
Methodology
Epidemiologic, virologic, and serologic studies were conducted, including the isolation of dengue viruses from patient blood samples.
Limitations
Clinical diagnoses of DHF may have been overestimated in some provinces, leading to overwhelmed hospitals.
Participant Demographics
Dengue viruses were most often recovered in children aged 5 to 14 years, with more viruses isolated from adults during the 1998 outbreak.
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