Although fewer dengue cases were reported in Mexico in 1983
than
in 1982 (12,967, compared with 32,640), dengue transmission was
reported over a wider geographic area (1). In 1982, 17 Mexican
states
reported dengue cases, and in 1983, 22 reported cases. For the
first
time, Guaymas (in the northwest state of Sonora), Guaymuchil (in
the
neighboring state of Sinaloa), and Zihuatanejo (in the
south-central
state of Guerrero) reported cases in 1983. Only the north-central
part of the country and Northern Baja California, areas
predominated
by desert and mountains, were free of the disease (Figure 2). Of
10
large cities involved in an epidemiologic surveillance program,
Tuxtla
Gutierrez (Chiapas), Tapachula (Chiapas), Acapulco (Guerrero), and
Merida (Yucatan) had the most dengue cases (Table 2). Transmission
appears distinctly seasonal, with most cases occurring between
August
and October.
As of week 40 (October 15, 1983), 117 paired sera had been
tested
for dengue hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies by the
Instituto de Salubridad y Enfermedades Tropicales, Mexico City, and
56
(48%) were reported positive (Table 3). Although the infecting
virus
serotypes are not known for all outbreaks, a collaborative effort
by
the above laboratory and CDC has confirmed that at least three
serotypes are currently circulating in Mexico. Dengue 4 was
isolated
from two persons in the state of Oaxaca and dengue 2, from two
specimens taken in Guerrero state; dengue 1 was isolated from
southern
Puebla state and Sonora state.
To date, no deaths or serious illnesses associated with
documented
dengue have been reported from Mexico.
Reported by L Cabrera-Coello, MD, Director de Vigilancia y
Epidemiologia, E Gallardo, MD, Epidemiologist, Dengue Surveillance
Program, Secretaria de Salubridad y Asistencia, Mexico City, E
Zorilla, MD, Director, ML Zarate de Guaneros, MD, Virology Dept,
Instituto de Salubridad y Enfermedades Tropicales, Mexico City,
Mexico; Dengue Br, Div of Vector-Borne Viral Diseases, Center for
Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: Epidemic dengue has been recognized in Mexico only
since 1978, when the hemispheric pandemic of dengue 1 spread to
southern Mexico. In 1980, dengue 1 moved up the east coast of
Mexico
into the lower Rio Grande valley of Texas (2) and subsequently
spread
to most other regions of Mexico (3). Serologic evidence of dengue
4
and dengue 2 transmission in Mexico was first detected in 1981 and
1982, respectively (4), but 1983 was the first year these serotypes
were associated with known epidemic activity. With Aedes aegypti
prevalent throughout much of the country, these serotypes may also
spread to other areas with susceptible human populations.
Persons traveling to Mexico should be made aware of possible
dengue infection and should take routine precautions against
mosquitoes.
References
Resumen Epidemiologica de Dengue, Vigilancia Epidemiologica de
Dengue, Voletin Epidemiologia 1984;4:18-27.
CDC. Dengue--United States. MMWR 1980;29:531-2.
CDC. Dengue type 1 in Mexico. MMWR 1982;31:468, 473-4.
CDC. Dengue surveillance, reference and research, 1982 annual
report. Atlanta, Ga.: Centers for Disease Control.
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