Short communication: dengue serotype 2 subtype III ('Jamaica') epidemic in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
BACKGROUND
During the past decade, dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) have become a public health problem in various Latin American countries. Indications of increased dengue cases in the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, early in 1997 were promptly investigated.


METHODS
We conducted a sample sero-survey in one district of the city. Levels of antidengue IgM were determined and genetic analysis was performed on virus isolates.


RESULTS
IgM antibodies were detected in 6.5% (95% CI: 3.4%-9.6%) of adults (over 15 years old) and 5.1% (2.0%-8.2%) of children (5-7 years old). Dengue virus serotype 2 subtype III ('Jamaica') was isolated.


CONCLUSIONS
The estimated attack rates are compatible with a dengue epidemic in Santa Cruz. Isolation of dengue-2 'Jamaica' virus documents the further spread of this subtype from the Caribbean via Brazil into South America. Increased DHF preparedness seems mandatory.
Van der Stuyft
P
P
Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. pvds@itg.be
Gianella
A
A
Pirard
M
M
Holzman
A
A
Peredo
C
C
Boelaert
M
M
Vorndam
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001838:Bolivia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D012703:Serotyping
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M