Heslop, Ian (2010) The pharmaceutical care risks of international travellers. In: Proceedings of the 100 Years of Tropical Medicine Conference (11) p. 48. From: 100 Years of Tropical Medicine Conference 2010, 11-14 June 2010, Townsville, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever are severe and 40% or the world’s population are at risk. Dengue outbreaks are episodic in North Queensland. In 2008/2009, there was one of the largest epidemics in the last 50 years with more than 1,000 confirmed cases in Cairns (and surrounding regions; DENV-2,3,4 08-09) and Townsville (DENV-1,3 09). Without an approved screening test, the strategy utilised by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Blood Service) for managing the risk of transfusion-transmitted dengue is exclusion of at donors resident in affected areas. During this epidemic, supplementary questioning was implemented to identify donors who had been resident in these areas and thus at risk of exposure. Fresh blood products were not manufactured from these donations resulting in a loss of up to 7% of planned red cell manufacture in Queensland. Samples were collected from blood donors during this epidemic to allow investigation of the sero-prevalence of undiagnosed recent exposure to dengue. Initial analysis of samples from the peak of the outbreak revealed IgM antibody to dengue virus in up to 3% of samples tested. Anti-Dengue IgM positive samples are being investigated for presence of NS 1 viral antigen, an indication of active dengue infection. From these data, the risk of dengue viraemic donations being collecting during this period can be measured. Transmission of Dengue virus by blood transfusion has been reported in Singapore and these data suggest that the deferral policy to avoid risk of transmission of Dengue in Australia is effective management of a real risk.

Item ID:	11852
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
ISSN:	1448-4706
Keywords:	travel; medicines adverse effects
Related URLs:	http://www.tropmed.org/publications/anna... http://www.tropmed.org/publications/anna...
Date Deposited:	06 Sep 2010 04:34
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences > 111503 Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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