1682. Dengue Fever Outbreak Investigation in Upper Egypt in 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Surveillance is the backbone of infectious diseases control but an outbreak of a new pathogen to a developing country may have devastating consequences given less prepared healthcare systems in such countries. In October 2015, there was a sharp rise of febrile illnesses reported in Dairot Fever Hospital which prompted the general department for fever hospitals in the Egyptian ministry of health (MOH) to constitute a scientific committee for field visit study in Dairot fever hospital. METHODS: The committee held meetings at Dairot fever hospital, educated local healthcare providers, examined all isolated patients and requested samples of 118 isolated patients to be sent to central laboratories of MOH. Entomological services were also part of the committee and surveillance was started in the affected area. RESULTS: Out of 118 samples, 28 came back positive for Dengue virus type 1 by ELISA and PCR. Entomological surveillance revealed the presence of Aedes aegypti larvae and adult mosquito at the sites where cases were living; consequently, entomological control measures for dengue vector were immediately set leading to a dramatic decline in the density of adult mosquito (from 23% to 0%) and larvae (from 25% to 0.5%). CONCLUSION: The prompt response of the MOH in Egypt led to rapid control of Dengue fever outbreak but educating healthcare workers about possible imported infectious diseases would have halted the outbreak much earlier which shows the importance of Infectious Diseases training in developing countries. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.