Dengue fever in the United States. A report of a cluster of imported cases and review of the clinical, epidemiologic, and public health aspects of the disease.

In the United States during 1981, fourteen state health departments reported a total of 44 imported cases of dengue fever. Most originated in the Caribbean, where dengue type 4 has reached pandemic proportions. Because the mosquito vector for dengue is abundant throughout the southeast and imported cases continue to occur, the possibility exists for indigenous dengue transmission. We report a cluster of imported dengue type 1 cases in Florida, discuss the clinical, epidemiologic, and public health aspects of the disease, and make recommendations as to how clinicians can assist public health officials in minimizing the risk of indigenous dengue transmission in the United States.