Fatal Dengue Infection in an Unvaccinated Traveler

While the Region of the Americas experienced the most significant Dengue virus outbreak in 2024, with over 12.8 million cases and 7,855 related fatalities, effective vaccines have become available in many countries.

However, safety concerns about dengue vaccines focus on the potential for enhanced disease after vaccine-induced seroconversion and subsequent infection.

On December 28, 2024, in a Brief Report, clinical researchers present a fatal case of severe dengue in an unvaccinated traveler without known prior dengue virus infection but longitudinal serologic and molecular evidence for secondary infection.

In the context of this Dengue case and vaccination guidance for travelers, they discuss pre-vaccination screening and potential implications for travelers to regions with ongoing outbreaks and emphasize the importance of serostatus-independent vaccines.

As of December 30, 2024, Dengvaxia® and Qdenga® vaccines are not offered in the U.S.