Dengue, Zika and chikungunya high-risk areas and spread in Colombia

What is it about?

Dengue, a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, is a major public health concern in Colombia. Between 2014 and 2016, chikungunya and Zika viruses, also transmitted by Aedes, started causing epidemics in the country for the first time. Using the number of cases from the Colombian National Surveillance System by municipality and week, this study revealed how chikungunya and Zika viruses spread within Colombia's territory. We also identified high-risk areas for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, in separate and simultaneously.

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Photo by Flavia Carpio on Unsplash

Photo by Flavia Carpio on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our findings suggest that the Caribbean region, a famous tourist destination in the country which includes the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, was likely the place of entry of chikungunya and Zika in Colombia. The diseases spread similarly, with Zika spreading faster, mostly from the Caribbean region and from the south-western region to the rest of the country. The south-western region was also identified as an important high-risk area for the three diseases. Other important high-risk areas for the three diseases were identified near the border with Ecuador, where important social and health vulnerabilities are present. In conclusion, actions to prevent the entry of new diseases and to reduce the burden of dengue, chikungunya and Zika should be targeted in these locations.

Perspectives