Prevalence and characteristics of dengue and chikungunya infections among acute febrile patients in Nong Khai Province, Thailand.
We conducted a cross sectional study at three hospitals of Nong Khai Province, Thailand to determine the prevalence and characteristics of dengue and chikungunya infection among patients who sought care. The study population was acute febrile patients who visited these hospitals during 1 August -31 October, 2010 who were aged 2-60 years and had clinical symptoms compatible with the case definition. Dengue and chikungunya cases were confirmed by an ELISA IgM titer or RT-PCR. We also reviewed surveillance data of dengue and chikungunya infections from 2003-2009. Of the 200 participants recruited into the study, 103 patients (51.5%) were confirmed to have acute dengue infection; dengue serotype 2 was the most prevalence serotype. The ages of confirmed dengue cases ranged from 2-37 years old. The distribution of cases showed that dengue morbidity tended to be clustered in adjacent areas, particularly in Mueang District. Only a small proportion of the patients uses mosquito repellant and had screens on their windows. One patient (0.5%) had laboratory confirmed chikungunya infection. She was from Rattanawapi District, an area where no chikungunya had been reported before. Since the disease varies by age and geographic location, increased awareness of health care workers and public health officers about the diseases in the area is needed for early detection of cases and to promote early prevention and control measures.
Nong Khai Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Nong Khai.
Sujet
S
Lertanekawattana
Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi.
Surapee
S
Anantapreecha
Bureau of Epidemiology Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi.
Chuleeporn
C
Jiraphongsa
Bureau of Epidemiology Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi.
Pawinee
P
Duan-ngern
Nong Khai Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Nong Khai.
Sathit
S
Potjalongsin
Nong Khai Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Public Health, Nong Khai, Thailand.
Wisanu
W
Wiittayabamrung
Nong Khai Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Public Health, Nong Khai, Thailand.
Pamol
P
Daroon
Nong Khai Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Public Health, Nong Khai, Thailand.
Meta
M
Techolarn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D065632:Chikungunya Fever; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003715:Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult