Recent emergence of dengue virus serotype 4 in French Polynesia results from multiple introductions from other South Pacific Islands.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infection by dengue virus (DENV) is a major public health concern in hundreds of tropical and subtropical countries. French Polynesia (FP) regularly experiences epidemics that initiate, or are consecutive to, DENV circulation in other South Pacific Island Countries (SPICs). In January 2009, after a decade of serotype 1 (DENV-1) circulation, the first cases of DENV-4 infection were reported in FP. Two months later a new epidemic emerged, occurring about 20 years after the previous circulation of DENV-4 in FP. In this study, we investigated the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the introduction, spread and genetic microevolution of DENV-4 in FP.

Methodology/principal findings

Epidemiological data suggested that recent transmission of DENV-4 in FP star

SUBMITTER: Cao-Lormeau VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3247278 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature