Clinical and Laboratory Guidelines for Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome for Health Care Providers

Abstract

General aspects Dengue is an endemic tropical viral disease in many areas in the World including the Caribbean and the Americas. Although cases may be detected all year-round, the number of cases is clearly related to cyclic changes in weather: an increase in the number of cases usually follows the onset of the rainy season. Occasionally this gives rise to major outbreaks that may involve one or more Caribbean islands... Currently, Dengue virus types 1, 2, 3 and 4 are circulating in the Caribbean. Dengue type 3 reemerged in CAREC Member Countries (CMCs) in 1998 after several decades of absence from the region. Type 3 isolates have been detected in several CMCs to date, including, Jamaica, Belize, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis.