RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of imported cases of dengue fever in Guangdong province (GD) and in Hong Kong (HK) during 2004-2006 to provide evidence for further cooperation in the prevention and control programs on dengue fever in the two places. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on data obtained from dengue fever surveillance and reporting network in GD and from Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, HK. RESULTS: Both from GD and HK 44 and 93 imported cases of Dengue fever were reported during 2004-2006. Most patients from GD acquired their infection from Singapore (13 cases), Indonesia (9 cases) or Cambodia (6 cases) while patients in HK mainly were imported from Indonesia (31 cases), the Philippines (16 cases) and Thailand (15 cases). The peak seasons of the two places were both from July to September. During the non-peak season period, the number of cases in Hong Kong was higher than that in Guangdong. Male/ female ratio was 1.2:1 in GD and 1.1:1 in HK. Age of patients in GD appeared to range from 6-80 years, with 63.6% (28/44) of them aged 20-39 years. 40.9% (18/44) of the cases were engaged in business, services, housework or unemployed. Those cases in HK were between 10-72 years of age, with 63.6% (28/ 44) of them aged 20-39 years while 47.3% (44/93) of the patients were with the occupation of business, services and industry. More cases in GD had a onset of disease before entering the border (27:17) than the cases in HK (35:57). The average time interval between onset and diagnosis were 7 and 9 days for GD and HK respectively. CONCLUSION: Frequent travel between Southeast Asia in summer among the working class appeared to be the main factor, causing imported cases of dengue fever in GD and HK. It is crucial to provide health education targeted at these high risk groups in order to prevent importation of dengue fever in the two areas.
