Dengue in the Middle East and North Africa: A Systematic Review

Abstract

BackgroundDengue virus (DENV) infection is widespread and its disease burden has increased in past decades. However, little is known about the epidemiology of dengue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).Methodology / Principal FindingsFollowing Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reporting our findings following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed available records across MENA describing dengue occurrence in humans (prevalence studies, incidence studies, and outbreak reports), occurrence of suitable vectors (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), and DENV vector infection rates. We identified 105 human prevalence measures in 13 of 24 MENA countries; 81 outbreaks reported from 9 countries from 1941–2015; and reports of Ae. aegypti and/or Ae. albopictus occurrence in 15 countries. The majority of seroprevalence studies were reported from the Red Sea region and Pakistan, with multiple studies indicating >20% DENV seroprevalence in general populations (median 25%, range 0–62%) in these subregions. Fifty percent of these studies were conducted prior to 1990. Multiple studies utilized assays susceptible to serologic cross-reactions and 5% of seroprevalence studies utilized viral neutralization testing. There was considerable heterogeneity in study design and outbreak reporting, as well as variability in subregional study coverage, study populations, and laboratory methods used for diagnosis.Conclusions / SignificanceDENV seroprevalence in the MENA is high among some populations in the Red Sea region and Pakistan, while recent outbreaks in these subregions suggest increasing incidence of DENV which may be driven by a variety of ecologic and social factors. However, there is insufficient study coverage to draw conclusions about Aedes or DENV presence in multiple MENA countries. These findings illustrate the epidemiology of DENV in the MENA while revealing priorities for DENV surveillance and Aedes control.

High seroprevalence of dengue virus indicates that dengue virus infections are frequent in central and eastern Sudan

“…The seroprevalence in this town was comparable to that in the South Indian state Tamil Nadu [25] and in several countries in Southeast Asia [24,26]. The seroprevalence was higher than in other countries in Africa and in the Middle East [3,27]. The seroprevalence data were also higher than what was previously reported from Sudan.…”

“…The seroprevalence data were also higher than what was previously reported from Sudan. Previous studies from Port Sudan, Kassala, West Kordofan and the Northern Province found DENV IgG in 9–49% of the tested sera (reviewed in . Together the seroprevalence data indicate that further seroepidemiologic testing and surveillance are needed in Sudan.…”

IoT PCR for pandemic disease detection and its spread monitoring

“…According to studies [2,3], there were an estimated 390 million annual cases of dengue fever and an estimated 3.9 billion people in 128 countries are at risk of being infected by dengue fever virus (DENV) with different serotypes. The DENV is affecting numerous areas in Eastern and Southeast Asia, such as China [4]; the lowlands of Nepal [5]; the slums in Delhi, India [6]; Hanoi, Vietnam [7]; and Iran [8] as well as other parts of the world, such as the Middle East, North Africa [9], and South America [10]. Due to the lack of effective treatment of severe dengue fever [11], accurate and early detection methods to identify the DENV serotype [5,12,13] are required in order to provide careful patient monitoring and to prevent the disease's progression to a more severe stage.…”

Seroprevalencia en una zona de hiperendemia por dengue, en Barranquilla, Colombia

“…En estos inciden las actuaciones del equipo de atención de salud, y la debilidad en la calidad y oportunidad de la notificación epidemiológica (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

“…Durante el 2016 se redujo a 2'427.290 casos en las Américas; el 67 % lo aportó Brasil, y el 11 % la Región Andina -donde está ubicada Colombia-, que registra el 35 % de los casos, y 8 % el istmo centroamericano (5,11). En Colombia, de acuerdo con el reporte de vigilancia epidemiológica, para la semana 23 de 2015 se registraron 46.538 casos de dengue (98,7 % correspondió a dengue y 1,3 % dengue grave), un incremento de 0,1 % con respecto al 2014.…”