ATLANTA, GA — Government statistics reveal that an increasing number of Americans are returning from Caribbean vacations with dengue fever. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has documented a 70 percent increase between 1997-98. The mosquito-transmitted disease is often mistaken for the flu, and includes high fever and pain in the joints. Blood tests from 349 people in 40 states who were suspected of having dengue fever turned up 143 true cases, 53 in 1997 and 90 in 1998, says the CDC, although that number may represent a low estimate. States aren't mandated to report dengue fever incidents to CDC labs, and the flu-like symptoms can make for misdiagnosis. Nearly half the reported cases come from the Caribbean islands, although numerous people also were bitten while traveling in Asia or South America. Dengue generally has an incubation period of four to seven days, although it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show up.
Cases of dengue are still extremely rare. The US State Department says millions of Americans travel to the Caribbean every year, but, according to their figures only 61 of them contracted dengue in the 1997-98 period. No vaccine is available for dengue, but travelers can minimize their exposure by using mosquito repellants and heeding local advice. Finally, if travelers return from another country feeling ill, they need to let their doctor know where they were traveling so they can be tested for the right diseases.