Dual Infection - H1N1 and Dengue Fever
24 November 2009
Most reported cases were from Vietnam and the island of Barbados. There have been two deaths reported in Vietnam this week from the dual infections.
In Barbados, 8 cases were confirmed (confirmation by RT-PCR) and reported on the West Indies island this week.
The increased risk of dengue virus co-infection on the outcome of infection with the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus cannot be quantified. However, in endemic areas, dengue virus co-infection is likely to increase the risk of a fatal outcome.
Only personal protective measures against mosquito bites is available as a prevention for dengue infection but the Pandemic Influenza Vaccine is available free to all in Australia and every traveller should be vaccinated before going abroad.
