Background

Little comprehensive analysis combining epidemiological and clinical data has been done with mosquito-borne diseases imported into Guangzhou by air travelers.

Methods

We screened international travelers (body temperature >36.5 °C) arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, and recorded their epidemiological and clinical information. Whole-blood samples were collected for laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), zika virus (ZIKV) infections and malaria.

Results

Between March 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017, 155 (6.6%) cases (100 of DENV, 21 of CHIKV, 1 of ZIKV, 34 of malaria, including one co-infection of DENV and CHIKV) were identified among 2350 febrile travelers. DENV (90.0%) and CHIKV (100.0%) cases mainly came from Southern and Southeast Asia. Malaria cases (91.2%) mainly came from sub-Saharan Africa. Traveling abroad (28/74, 37.8%) and living/working abroad (11/22, 50.0%) were the most common causes of DENV infection and malaria for Chinese, respectively. Cases with these four mosquito-borne diseases were more likely to have nervous, musculoskeletal and skin symptoms and signs than other febrile diseases (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

It is important to strengthen the surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases among tourists and workers returning from Southeast Asia, Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, especially those with nervous, musculoskeletal and skin symptoms and signs.