Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of imported dengue fever among inbound passengers: Infrared thermometer–based active surveillance at an international airport

Abstract

BackgroundDengue fever is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, especially Southeast Asia. International air travel facilitates the spread of dengue across and within borders. To date, no predictive factors have been established for assessing risk of dengue among febrile travelers.MethodsSince 2006, Taiwan has operated a program of infrared thermometer–based non-contact active surveillance at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). All inbound passengers from dengue-endemic countries who are febrile (tympanic temperature ≥38°C) undergo routine laboratory testing for dengue. We analyzed clinical and epidemiological characteristics of all tested passengers entering Taiwan via TPE in 2011 to identify the predictive factors of dengue infection.ResultsIn 2011, of the 3,719 febrile passengers from dengue-endemic countries, 74 (2.0%) had laboratory-confirmed dengue infection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that those who were aged ≥60 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–29.6) and had self-reported fever (aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5–4.1), skin rashes (aOR, 11.0; 95% CI, 3.4–35.1), or a tympanic temperature ≥39°C (aOR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.7–4.9) were significantly more likely to have dengue (all p values < 0.05). Compared with travelers who stayed in dengue-endemic countries for ≤7 days, those who traveled 8–14, 15–21, 22–28, and ≥29 days were also more likely to be infected (aORs of 10.2, 14.9, 39.0 and 12.0, respectively).ConclusionThese clinical and epidemiological features can facilitate timely recognition and diagnosis of imported dengue in febrile inbound passengers and therefore help prevent domestic transmission of dengue virus.

Technologies for Fever Screening in the Time of COVID-19: A Review

“…From the current review on the literature published between 2009 and 2020 (inclusive), it is clear that this is still the case even with a wide variety of equipment, experimental setups and experimental methodologies used. In addition, there was a great deal of variability in the level of detail reported in the published studies, with one of the largest studies having over 11 million participants [23]. However, as this study did not report specificity, selectivity, accuracy or measurement means, it was not included the final synthesis [23].…”

“…In addition, there was a great deal of variability in the level of detail reported in the published studies, with one of the largest studies having over 11 million participants [23]. However, as this study did not report specificity, selectivity, accuracy or measurement means, it was not included the final synthesis [23].…”

“…Between 2003-2004, Taiwan reported a total of 73 imported cases of Dengue Fever, of which 40 (54.8%) were identified by airport screening measures [22]. Of the 1280 imported cases of Dengue Fever that were reported during the period 2007-2012, 46% were identified on arrival at the Taoyuan International Airport border [23]. While smaller in scale, during 2015-2016 Taiwan also reported 13 imported cases of Zika virus, of which 5 had been detected through entry screening at international airports [24].…”

Risk Factors Associated with Passengers with Imported Dengue Fever at International Airports in Taiwan

“…Since 2003, the TCDC has used infrared thermal imaging screening and ear temperature measurement on inbound passengers at international airports [ 12 , 13 ]. All inbound passengers who experience fever (i.e., tympanic temperature ≥ 38 °C) and are returning from DF endemic areas are asked about their travel history (e.g., travel location and duration), their occupation, the people they have come into contact with, and cluster activities through the Communicable Disease Survey Form.…”

Grand Challenges in Physical Sensors

“…The recent global pandemic caused by the coronavirus has presented significant challenges for physical sensors to solve urgent societal needs, for example, temperature sensors to rapidly identify people with fever (Su et al, 2019) in airports and bus/train stations. In this case, the challenge is to measure body temperature without touching people, rapidly, with high precision and, ideally, measuring it for several people simultaneously.…”