Volume 18, Number 4—April 2012
Policy Review
Lessons Learned during Dengue Outbreaks in the United States, 2001–2011
Amesh A. Adalja
, Tara Kirk Sell, Nidhi Bouri, and Crystal Franco
, Tara Kirk Sell, Nidhi Bouri, and Crystal Franco
Table
Lessons learned during US dengue outbreaks, 2001–2011*
| Location, year | Lessons learned |
|---|---|
| Hawaii, 2001 | Populations are not completely homogeneous, and messages should be tailored to specific locales. |
| Tourism concerns must be balanced with public health response. | |
| Community engagement activities are palatable to the public when nonpunitive, actionable initiatives are undertaken by public health agencies. | |
| A communication study validates the community engagement approach, with substantial numbers of residents aware of the outbreak and those taking actions performing the correct action. | |
| A lack of in-state testing capacity delays confirmation of the outbreak. | |
| Although the Aedes albopictus mosquito is a competent vector, its involvement may limit this outbreak in a rural Hawaii setting, especially with prompt outbreak control efforts. | |
| Brownsville, Texas, 2005 | Nearby foci of endemicity make dengue a continual threat, including the possibility of dengue hemorrhagic fever. |
| Involving CDC/BIDS facilitates fast identification of the index case. | |
| Pre-outbreak awareness of and preparation for the potential threat of dengue enhances the ability to respond to an actual outbreak. | |
| Florida, 2009–2011 | An aggressive multimodal campaign engages the public. |
| Door-to-door vector control activities are essential; the ability to inspect property without homeowner permission improves coverage. | |
| Clear communication with tourism officials diminishes the possibility of opposing viewpoints. |
*CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; BIDS, Border Infectious Disease Surveillance.
Page created: March 15, 2012
Page updated: April 16, 2012
Page reviewed: April 16, 2012
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.