Investigation of a Dengue Fever Epidemic in Colombia.

During 1971-72 an epidemic of dengue fever occurred in Colombia, S. America. The magnitude, geographic extent, and epidemiological progression of the epidemic is described. Over 400,000 persons in a population of 2.1 million were estimated to have suffered dengue during a 12 months period. The virus, recovered from both man and mosquitoes, was identified as dengue serotype 2. The epidemic was clearly related to a re-infestation of the coastal area with A. aegypti mosquitoes. Surveillance for both the disease and the mosquitoe, supported in part by the grant, was used to guide control activities. Modified author abstract