[Coinfection with two dengue serotypes during the 2024 outbreak]

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Context:

• Dengue virus, a significant global health concern, is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
• Clinical manifestations of dengue range from mild to severe.
• Co-infection with multiple dengue serotypes can potentially alter disease presentation and transmission dynamics.

Purpose:

• To report the initial occurrence of dengue virus serotype 1 and 2 (DENV-1/DENV-2) co-infection in Moreno Municipality.
• To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with DENV-1/DENV-2 co-infection.
• To monitor dengue epidemiology during an observed increase in cases.

Summary:

• Six cases of DENV-1/DENV-2 co-infection were identified at Moreno Hospital between epidemiological weeks 1-15 of 2024.
• A notable rise in dengue cases was recorded during this period compared to previous years.
• Clinical presentations in co-infected individuals did not significantly differ from those with single dengue serotype infections.

Impact:

• This finding highlights the emergence of dengue virus co-infections in Moreno Municipality, necessitating ongoing surveillance.
• It underscores the importance of characterizing co-infected populations to understand potential implications for disease severity and public health strategies.
• The data contributes to the broader understanding of dengue epidemiology and co-infection patterns in the region.