Korean J Infect Dis.
2000 Dec;32(6):467-469.
A Case of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Imported from Africa
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University Medical College, Incheon, Korea. mhchung@nownuri.net
Abstract
- Dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) is an acute febrile illness characterized by hemorrhagic phenomenon and hypovolemic shock due to increased vascular permeability and plasma leakage in patients infected with any one of four serotypes of dengue virus. The disease is one of the principal causes of hospitalization and death among children in several south-east Asian, central and south American, and African countries. With increasing use of air or ship transport, more travelers and sailors to the tropics are returning within the incubation period of acute febrile infection. Herein we reported the first Korean case of dengue hemorrhagic fever imported from Africa. We experienced a Korean sailor who complains of fever, chill, nausea, and epistaxis after the return from Mombasa, Kenya. His fellows also showed the similar complains. His illness improved spontaneously and the indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing revealed antibody titer of 1:1024 or more.