WHO reports several cases of co-infection with H1N1 influenza and dengue fever

To date the World Health Organization has reported several cases of patients afflicted with co-infections of H1N1 influenza and dengue fever.

Most reported cases were from Vietnam and the island of Barbados. There have been two deaths reported in Vietnam this week from the dual infections.

In Barbados, 8 cases were confirmed (confirmation by RT-PCR) and reported on the West Indies island this week.

The increased risk of dengue virus co-infection on the outcome of infection with the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus cannot be quantified. However, in endemic areas, dengue virus co-infection is likely to increase the risk of a fatal outcome.