Abstract

Objective

To assess the burden of dengue disease in Colombia and its associated costs.

Methods

We estimated the burden of dengue and severe dengue in Colombia for the period 2011 to 2014 on the basis of a dynamic model calibrated against Colombian surveillance data. The model estimated the annual number of dengue and severe dengue cases for those receiving medical care and those who do not. We calculated the average cost of care per patient on the basis of a bottom-up costing of cases, and additional costs were estimated for activities of vector control and other community interventions. Economic information from a sample of local and departmental vector control programs was reviewed.

Results

The dynamic model estimated that for 2011 and 2012 there would be 56,998 dengue cases requiring medical attention (22,799 ambulatory and 34,199 hospitalized), 1851 cases of severe dengue, and 205 deaths. The economic analysis, with 2011 data, showed that Colombia would spend between US $52.2 and US $61.0 million for dengue control activities and case management in an average year. Medical management costs would amount to US $16.9 million (CI 95% 15.2–18.5 million), while vector control activities and other community interventions would cost between US $37.08 and US $42.41 million.

Conclusions

Dengue infection has an important impact on the health care system budget in Colombia. Most of the economic impact corresponds to community activities directed to prevent vector infestation (68.7%–71.0%), which are expensive and whose effectiveness is controversial.