The objective of this study was to improve risk assessments of travel on dengue (DEN) virus (DENV) distribution. We investigated the
exposure risk of US citizens traveling to DEN-endemic Pan American countries. The number of DEN cases reported in 51 Pan American countries from
2001 to 2012 was compared to the population of the same countries. The number of US travelers visiting the Pan American countries was categorized
by region, and travel-related DEN infections were analyzed. US residents visiting the Dominican Republic exhibited the highest traveler-related DEN
incidence. Brazil showed the most DEN cases in its residents (.1 million reported cases in 2010). The number of DEN cases continues to rise as does international travel and the geographic range of potential DENV vectors. DENV risk assessments may be improved by analyzing the possible routes of entry.
Underreporting remains an issue for calculating DENV transmission risk by country and region
