First description of a dengue fever outbreak in the interior of French Guiana, February 2006

Background: A dengue fever outbreak occurred in the interior of French Guiana from November 2005 onwards. An investigation, with epidemiological, entomological and public health inputs, was initiated. Its objectives were to confirm the outbreak, to describe the emergence of dengue fever in the High Maroni area and to initiate a specific public health response. Methods: The investigation was conducted in Maripasoula in February 2006, the biggest community in that part of the country. Definition criteria were used for suspected, probable and confirmed cases of dengue fever. An entomological evaluation for larvae and adult mosquitoes was carried out. Some personal and collective vector control measures were set up by the vector control team. Results: This survey identified 127 suspected dengue fever cases, whereas the epidemiological surveillance system detected only six probable and confirmed cases from the same place and for the same period. The proportion of dengue fever was higher in those people who had not travelled (23.5%) than within the population that had travelled (15.3%) in the three previous months ( P = 0.01). Larvae of Stegomyia aegypti were found throughout the town, and adults were captured in 90.9% of the houses. Conclusion: This is the first time that a dengue fever outbreak has been described beyond the coastal region of this French overseas Department.