A new study from NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories and the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies in Mali aims to help spread information to medical workers about the existence of the additional mosquito-borne diseases.
The study involving 600 residents from southern Mali in which scientists detected antibodies to dengue virus in the blood of 77.2% of the residents tested; to Zika virus in 31.2%, and to chikungunya virus in 25.8%.
They detected at least one of the three viruses in 84.9% of participants, meaning just 15.1% tested negative to any of the three viruses.
Evidence of the parasites that cause malaria was found in 44.5% of those tested. Unlike malaria, however, where most cases are found in children under age 14, residents over age 50 were most likely to have been exposed to dengue, Zika or chikungunya viruses.
“Despite the high exposure risk to dengue virus in southern Mali, dengue fever cases have rarely been reported. This is likely due to the lack of diagnostic testing and the biased clinical focus on malaria in the region. Awareness of dengue virus as a cause of febrile illness needs to be urgently established in medical communities as an important public health measure.”
The scientists are hoping data from a more in-depth clinical study that just ended will provide additional details about the prevalence of these viruses in Mali. They also are planning to examine patients who have undiagnosed fevers to establish infection rates.
NIAID scientists are investigating dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses to try and develop preventive and therapeutic treatment options, none of which exist.
Seroprevalence of Arboviruses in a Malaria Hyperendemic Area in Southern Mali. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 4 June 2024.
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