Surveillance of dengue fever in French Guiana by monitoring the results ofnegative malaria diagnoses

Surveillance of dengue fever is mainly based on specific laboratory tests. However non-specific systems, such as clinical surveillance, are also requi red, in French Guiana, we have tested a non-specific laboratory surveillanc e system where different biological examinations performed for other reason s than the diagnosis of dengue fever were analysed as methods for dengue fe ver surveillance. The number of negative malaria diagnoses in Cayenne and K ourou was found to be the best indicator of dengue fever infections in thes e towns. This surveillance system appears to be very simple and reliable, a nd a test which could serve as an indicator that is likely to be found ever ywhere.