Epidemiology and Laboratory Diagnostics of Dengue, Yellow Fever, Zika, and Chikungunya Virus Infections in Africa

Abstract

Arbovirus infections are widespread, and their disease burden has increased in the past decade. In Africa, arbovirus infections and fever with unknown etiology are common. Due to the lack of well-established epidemiologic surveillance systems and accurate differential diagnosis in most African countries, little is known about the prevalence of human arbovirus infections in Africa. The aim of this review is to summarize the available epidemiological data and diagnostic laboratory tools of infections with dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, all transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Studies indicate that these arboviral infections are endemic in most of Africa. Surveillance of the incidence and prevalence of the infections would enable medical doctors to improve the diagnostic accuracy in patients with typical symptoms. If possible, arboviral diagnostic tests should be added to the routine healthcare systems. Healthcare providers should be informed about the prevalent arboviral diseases to identify possible cases.

Keywords: Africa; Zika virus; chikungunya virus; dengue virus; epidemiology; laboratory diagnostics; yellow fever virus.

Figure 1

African countries having reported the presence of Aedes aegypti. Presence of the mosquito species may be restricted to parts of the countries.

Figure 2

The geographic distribution of A. albopictus in Africa.

Figure 3

African countries from which cases of dengue fever have been reported.

Figure 4

Countries and regions from which yellow fever cases have been reported.

Figure 5

African countries from which ZIKV cases or serologic evidence of ZIKV infections have been reported.

Figure 6

African countries from which chikungunya outbreaks or serologic evidence of the infection have been reported.