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Mosquito-borne infections in Fiji V. The 1971–73 dengue epidemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

T. Maguire ,
J. A. R. Miles ,
F. N. Macnamara ,
P. J. Wilkinson ,
F. J. Austin  and
J. U. Mataika
T. Maguire
Affiliation:
Virus Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
J. A. R. Miles
Affiliation:
Virus Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
F. N. Macnamara
Affiliation:
Virus Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
P. J. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
Virus Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
F. J. Austin
Affiliation:
Virus Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
J. U. Mataika
Affiliation:
Wellcome Virus Laboratory, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
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Summary

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A dengue epidemic due to type 2 virus involving some 3,400 cases began in Fiji early in 1971, had a peak during May, June and July, and cases have continued to occur with a low incidence during 1972 and 1973. Many of the notified cases showed classical dengue fever symptoms and there were no confirmed cases of haemorrhagic fever. A serological survey indicated that there had been at least 20,000 subclinical infections. It is probable that the virus was introduced to Fiji either through the port of Lautoka or Nadi international airport in February 1971. The normal travel patterns of residents must have spread the virus to all the more accessible localities but, with the exception of Rotuma, it caused infections only in areas where Aedes aegypti was available as a vector. There was no evidence that pre-existing dengue type 1 serum antibody gave any protection during this epidemic.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , October 1974 , pp. 263 - 270
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

References

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