Dengue en chikungunya bij reizen naar de tropen

Dengue and chikungunya are transmitted by mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus).

• The global incidence of dengue and chikungunya has greatly increased over recent decades, partly due to the increase of geographic distribution of both vectors.
• These infections are endemic to the tropics and subtropics, however autochthonous transmission and outbreaks have been described in non-endemic areas.
• Currently, there is a large chikungunya outbreak in the western hemisphere which started in the Caribbean. Chikungunya had not previously been endemic to this region.
• Both arboviral infections are important causes of fever in Dutch travellers retuning from tropical destinations.
• The clinical presentations of dengue and chikungunya overlap; both are characterised by high fever and arthralgia. Bleeding and plasma leakage are potentially life-threatening complications of dengue, while persistent arthralgia typifies chikungunya.
• The prevention of mosquito bites, by using protective clothing and insect repellents, is the only way to prevent infection. No vaccine is yet available.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared