Context:
Acute febrile disease (AFI) in endemic tropical areas is a frequent reason for consulting the emergency services. Infection by 2 or more etiological agents may modify clinical and laboratory parameters, making diagnosis and treatment a challenge.
Case report:
We report the case of a patient who came from Africa and consults in Colombia, with AFI with thrombocytopenia that was eventually diagnosed to have concurrent infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and dengue.
Conclusions:
Dengue-malaria coinfection infection reports are scarce; it should be suspected in patients living or returning from areas where both diseases are endemic or during dengue outbreaks. This case serves as a reminder of this important condition that causes high morbidity and mortality if it is not early diagnosed and treated.