Low chikungunya virus seroprevalence two years after emergence in Fiji

Aubry, Maite and Kama, Mike and Henderson, Alasdair D. and Teissiera, Anita and Vanhomwegen, Jessica and Mariteragi-Helle, Teheipuaura and Paoaafaite, Tuterarii and Manuguerra, Jean-Claude and Christi, Ketan S. and Watson, Conall H. and Lau, Colleen L. and Kucharski, Adam J. and Cao-Lormeau, Van-Mai (2020) Low chikungunya virus seroprevalence two years after emergence in Fiji. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 90 . pp. 223-225. ISSN 1201-9712

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Abstract

Objectives: In Fiji, autochthonous chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection was first detected in March 2015. In a previous serosurvey conducted during October–November 2015, we reported a prevalence of anti-CHIKV IgG antibodies of 0.9%. In the present study, we investigated the seroprevalence of CHIKV two years after its emergence in Fiji. Methods: Sera from 320 residents of Fiji recruited in June 2017, from the same cohort of individuals that participated in the serosurvey in 2015, were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against CHIKV using a recombinant antigen-based microsphere immunoassay. Results: Between 2015 and 2017, CHIKV seroprevalence among residents increased from 0.9% (3/333) to 12.8% (41/320). Of the participants with available serum samples collected in both 2015 and 2017 (n = 200), 31 (15.5%) who were seronegative in 2015 had seroconverted to CHIKV in 2017. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that low-level transmission of CHIKV occurred during the two years followingtheemergenceofthe virus in Fiji.NoCHIKVinfection has been reportedin Fiji since2017, butdue to the presumed low herd immunity of the population, the risk of CHIKV re-emergence is high. Consequently, chikungunya should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute febrile diseases in Fiji.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS)
Depositing User:	Ms Shalni Sanjana
Date Deposited:	24 Aug 2021 03:23
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2021 03:23
URI:	http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/12924

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