Clinical Features of Hospitalized Patients During Dengue - 3 Epidemic in Far North Queensland , 1997 - 1999

Between December 1997 and March 1999, the Cairns and Mossman/Port Douglas regions of Far North Queensland, Australia, experienced an epidemic caused by DEN-3 virus. There were 496 confirmed cases over this period, 98 (20%) of this group were hospitalized. Additionally, 19 patients with probable dengue were hospitalized. The unusually high rate of hospitalization prompted an analysis of the clinical features of the hospitalized cases. The case records of 100 locally-acquired acute dengue cases hospitalized in the local regions were retrospectively examined. The mean age of the hospitalized cases was 42.5 years. In many cases admission was required for the management of severe rash, pain, or dehydration. Gastrointestinal symptoms were common. Other presentations included nephrotic syndrome, hepatitis and encephalopathy. One paediatric case of dengue haemorrhagic fever was recorded. The severity of illness observed in this epidemic is likely to be related to the virulence of the dengue strain.