An epidemic of dengue fever in Wewak.

143 clinical cases of dengue fever were reported in Wewak between April and August 1976. 15 patients demonstrated a diagnostic rise in antibody titre for Group B arbovirus. Tests for complement-fixing antibody to dengue viruses did not indicate what type of dengue virus was responsible for the epidemic. Vector species Aedes aegypti and Aedes scutellaris were found before control measures were adopted but were not found four months later. The epidemiology of dengue fever is discussed and measures for prevention and control of epidemics are recommended.