Dengue among United Nations Mission in Haiti personnel, 1995: Implications for preventive medicine

Jeffrey M. Gambel, Joseph Drabick, Michael A. Swalko, Erik A. Henchal, Cynthia A. Rossi, Lester Martinez-Lopez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The incidence of dengue infections has been increasing in the Caribbean, and cases have been identified among successive deployments of multinational peacekeepers to Haiti (1994-1997). In the absence of an effective vaccine or chemoprophylaxis to prevent dengue fever, vector-control operations and use of personal protection measures to prevent arthropod bites are the most effective means of limiting disease transmission. During our 5-month deployment as part of the United Nations Mission in Haiti, 79 cases of recent dengue fever were identified among 249 patients (32%) presenting with febrile illness to the 86th Combat Support Hospital. Further investigation revealed low unit readiness to perform standard vector-control activities and poor individual adherence to measures to prevent arthropod bites. Command enforcement of existing field preventive medicine doctrine is essential to prevent casualties caused by dengue, other arthropod-borne infections, and nuisance arthropod bites during military deployments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)300-302
Number of pages3
JournalMilitary medicine
Volume164
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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