An epidemic of type 3 dengue on Niue Island.
An epidemic of dengue fever type 3 occurred on the island of Niue late in 1985 and during the first quarter of 1986. Just over 18% of the population reported for medical attention, the disease predominantly affecting teenagers and young adults, with equal sex distribution. The epidemic was of the classical dengue syndrome and there were no deaths. There were some unusual features. The magnitude of antibody rise was unusually high in many of those with no preexisting antibody. Despite the large proportion of the population with preexisting dengue type 2 antibodies, no cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome were observed, confirming the observations made in many other epidemics that these serious complications do not always follow in sequential epidemics caused by two different types. A high level of awareness, combined public health measures and active community involvement helped to control the epidemic early.
Tukuitonga
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Fiji School of Medicine, Suva.
Maguire
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003715:Dengue / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000914:Antibodies, Viral