Dengue Endemic Along DRC-Angola Border, Mosquito Study Reveals
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A new study confirms widespread dengue virus (DENV) transmission along the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) border wiht Angola, highlighting the potential for mosquito-borne disease spread and the importance of proactive surveillance. Researchers found evidence of DENV in three-quarters of mosquito samples collected in the Kimpese region of the DRC.
While the DRC grapples with a meaningful malaria burden,this research underscores the often-overlooked threat of arboviruses – viruses transmitted by arthropods like mosquitoes. The study, conducted following recent outbreaks of chikungunya (CHIKV) and yellow fever (YFV) in southwestern DRC, provides critical insights into the region’s complex disease landscape.
Mosquitoes as Sentinels for Emerging Pathogens
The investigation focused on Aedes mosquitoes, known vectors for DENV, Zika, CHIKV, and YFV. Researchers collected 155 mosquitoes from three sites near the Angola border and analyzed them in eight pools. Metagenomic and targeted sequencing revealed high-confidence DENV reads in six of the eight pools (75%). Remarkably,all eight pools (100%) contained evidence of recent human blood meals,indicating active interaction between mosquitoes and the local population.
“These findings strongly suggest ongoing, endemic DENV transmission in this border region,” one analyst noted.
The study didn’t stop at DENV. Researchers also identified a diverse range of viruses within the mosquito virome, including other known and potentially novel human and animal viruses. This discovery emphasizes the potential of using wild-caught mosquitoes for xenosurveillance – monitoring for emerging pathogens before they establish widespread outbreaks.
Funding and Potential Conflicts of Interest
the research was supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases (NIAID). A researcher, identified as JBP, disclosed prior research support from Gilead Sciences and Abbott laboratories, as well as past consulting work with Zymeron Corporation, though these affiliations were deemed outside the scope of the current study.
The Biomedical Scholar award (NIAID K24AI134990) and funds from the UNC Office for research (INV-050353) also contributed to the project.
This research provides a crucial step towards understanding and mitigating the risk of arboviral diseases in the DRC and beyond, demonstrating the power of mosquito surveillance in safeguarding public health.
Why: Researchers investigated the prevalence of mosquito-borne viruses, particularly dengue, along the DRC-Angola border due to recent outbreaks of other arboviruses and the region’s susceptibility.
Who: The study was conducted by researchers, with funding from the bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NIAID. A researcher, JBP, disclosed prior affiliations with Gilead Sciences, Abbott Laboratories, and Zymeron Corporation.
What: The study confirmed widespread, ongoing transmission of dengue virus (DENV) in the Kimpese region of the DRC, with DENV detected in 75% of mosquito samples.It also revealed a diverse virome within the mosquitoes,suggesting the presence of other known and potentially novel viruses.
How did it end?: The study concluded that the DRC-Angola border region experiences endemic DENV transmission and highlighted the importance of xenosurveillance-monitoring mosquitoes for emerging pathogens-to proactively address potential outbreaks. The research provides a foundation for future public health interventions.
