A traveller returning to South Africa with fever and haemorrhagic rash

Abstract

Infections in travellers returning to their home country often represent a diagnostic challenge. In addition, there is always the potential for these diseases to be transmissible. We describe a case of a young woman who returned from Sri Lanka with features of a haemorrhagic illness, subsequently identifed as dengue fever. Whereas dengue is not endemic to South Africa, it is probable that we will see more cases as the “footprint” of this disease expands. Johannesburg, as the gateway to Africa, is frequently on the itinerary of travellers into Africa, and of those returning home. In addition, the whole country has a large Indian diaspora who frequently return home with illnesses that are not endemic to this country. Constant vigilance is required to both treat these illnesses, and to ensure that nosocomial transmission does not occur.