Epidemia por virus dengue-2 en Salta, Argentina, 1998 / Outbreak of Dengue-2 virus in Salta, Argentina, 1988

ABSTRACT

Dengue (DEN) reemergence was first detected in Salta, Argentina, in 1997. It was confirmed by serology and PCR that DEN-2 virus was responsible for sporadic cases and indigenous transmission. A laboratory-based surveillance system allowed the detection of an outbreak in Salta several months later. In total, 378 DEN cases were laboratory diagnosed out of 646 (58) studied. The cases were distributed in 10 localities of the province between January 3rd and May 31st, 1998. One DEN-2 viral isolation and 4 PCR products were obtained from patients coming from Orán and Embarcación localities. Male and female cases occurred at a similar rate (11), with adult cases (82.5) nearly five times greater than for children under 15 years-old (17.5). Clinically, all cases corresponded to classic DEN. This is the first time that a DEN outbreak has been laboratory-diagnosed in Argentina and also the first time that DEN virus has been isolated in this country.(Au)