National dengue surveillance in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, 2006–2012: epidemiological and laboratory findings

Authors

  • Bouaphanh Khampapongpane National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Hannah C Lewis Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, World Health Organization, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Pakapak Ketmayoon National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, World Health Organization, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Darouny Phonekeo National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Virasack Somoulay National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Ampai Khamsing National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Manilay Phengxay Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, World Health Organization, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Thongchanh Sisouk National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Phengta Vongphrachanh National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
  • Juliet E Bryant Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2014.5.1.001

Abstract

Although dengue has been a public health problem for several decades in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the magnitude of the disease burden and epidemiological trends remain poorly understood. We analysed national dengue surveillance and laboratory data from 2006 to 2012 by person, place and time. Between 2006 and 2012, the annual dengue notification rate ranged between 62 and 367 cases per 100 000 population with an apparent geographical expansion of transmission throughout the country in recent years and concurrent co-circulation of all four dengue virus subtypes. An electronic database, called Lao People's Democratic Republic Early Warning Alert and Response Network, was introduced in 2008 to provide automated early warning for outbreaks and epidemics. Village outbreaks continue to be notified primarily through event-based surveillance, whereas the weekly indicator-based system provides systematic assessment of annual epidemic cycles. The dengue case data indicate a high and increasing burden of disease. Efforts now need to focus on using available data to prompt more effective outbreak response and to guide the design and implementation of intervention strategies.

Author Biography

Hannah C Lewis, Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, World Health Organization, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Epidemiologist, World Health Organization Country Office, Lao PDR

Published

31-03-2014

How to Cite

1.
Khampapongpane B, Lewis HC, Ketmayoon P, Phonekeo D, Somoulay V, Khamsing A, Phengxay M, Sisouk T, Vongphrachanh P, Bryant JE. National dengue surveillance in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 2006–2012: epidemiological and laboratory findings. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2014 Mar. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];5(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/228

Issue

Section

Surveillance Report

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