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BMC Infect Dis. 2016 Apr 16;16(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s12879-016-1502-6.
Influenza in long-term Dutch travelers in the tropics: symptoms and infections.
Whelan J1, Rimmelzwaan GF2, van den Hoek A1,3, Belderok SM1,3, Sonder GJ4,5,6.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza is a common infection among travelers, and attack rates are well documented in short-term travelers and holiday makers. Little data exists on long-term, non-expatriate travelers.
METHODS:
This was a prospective mono-centre study of immunocompetent, Dutch travelers aged ≥18 to 64 years. It was conducted at the Public Health Service travel clinic in Amsterdam from December 2008 to September 2011, and included all travelers intending to travel to a tropical or sub-tropical country.
RESULTS:
Among 602 Dutch long-term travelers to tropical regions, 82 % had protective influenza antibody titres pre-travel. The influenza attack rate of serologically confirmed infection during travel was 15 %, and of symptomatic infection was 6.3 % (fever alone) and 2 % (ILI), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
The attack rate in this study is similar to seasonal rates of infection in the general population. Influenza vaccination pre-travel is therefore most important for people at risk of medical complications due to influenza.
KEYWORDS:
Attack rate; Influenza; Seroconversion; Travelers
PMID: 27083556 [PubMed - in process] PMCID: PMC4833942 Free PMC Article
Influenza in long-term Dutch travelers in the tropics: symptoms and infections.
Whelan J1, Rimmelzwaan GF2, van den Hoek A1,3, Belderok SM1,3, Sonder GJ4,5,6.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza is a common infection among travelers, and attack rates are well documented in short-term travelers and holiday makers. Little data exists on long-term, non-expatriate travelers.
METHODS:
This was a prospective mono-centre study of immunocompetent, Dutch travelers aged ≥18 to 64 years. It was conducted at the Public Health Service travel clinic in Amsterdam from December 2008 to September 2011, and included all travelers intending to travel to a tropical or sub-tropical country.
RESULTS:
Among 602 Dutch long-term travelers to tropical regions, 82 % had protective influenza antibody titres pre-travel. The influenza attack rate of serologically confirmed infection during travel was 15 %, and of symptomatic infection was 6.3 % (fever alone) and 2 % (ILI), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
The attack rate in this study is similar to seasonal rates of infection in the general population. Influenza vaccination pre-travel is therefore most important for people at risk of medical complications due to influenza.
KEYWORDS:
Attack rate; Influenza; Seroconversion; Travelers
PMID: 27083556 [PubMed - in process] PMCID: PMC4833942 Free PMC Article