Epidemiology of dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus infections in travellers: A 16-year retrospective descriptive study at a tertiary care centre in Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Introduction This study aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of imported cases of dengue (DEN), chikungunya (CHIK), and Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Czech travellers. Materials and methods This single-centre descriptive study has retrospectively analysed data of patients with laboratory confirmed DEN, CHIK, and ZIKV infections diagnosed at the Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Tropical Diseases of the University Hospital Bulovka in Prague, Czech Republic from 2004 to 2019. Results The study included a total of 313 patients with DEN, 30 with CHIK, and 19 with ZIKV infections. Most patients travelled as tourists:263 (84.0%), 28 (93.3%), and 17 (89.5%), respectively (p = 0.337). The median duration of stay was 20 (IQR 14–27), 21 (IQR 14–29), and 15 days (IQR 14–43), respectively (p = 0.935). Peaks of imported DEN and ZIKV infections were noted in 2016, and in 2019 in the case of CHIK infection. Most cases of DEN and CHIKV infections were acquired in Southeast Asia:212 (67.7%) and 15 (50%), respectively, while ZIKV infection was most commonly imported from the Caribbean (11; 57,9%). Conclusions Arbovirus infections represent an increasingly significant cause of illness in Czech travellers. Comprehensive knowledge of the specific epidemiological profile of these diseases is an essential prerequisite for good travel medicine practice.