Seroprevalence of Arboviruses in Travelers in Morocco: Focus on Dengue and Zika

Dengue and Zika viruses belong to the arbovirus family and are emerging infectious diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Their proliferation is facilitated by factors such as adaptability, climate change, and globalization. Despite surveillance efforts by the World Health Organization (WHO), global monitoring remains limited. This study aimed to ascertain the seroprevalence of these diseases among travelers returning from endemic regions. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 2023 targeted travelers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. Participants were selected based on specific criteria over a six-month period. Blood samples were assessed in our laboratory using the VirClia® automated chemiluminescence immunoassay to detect Dengue and Zika IgG and IgM antibodies. The analysis involved interpretation of the results using a specific formula. The study included a young, asymptomatic cohort, averaging 30.8 years of age. Travelers were categorized according to age, sex, and country of residence. Dengue virus seroprevalence was 18.6%, predominantly IgG. The prevalence of ZIKV infection was 12.9%. The seroprevalence of these arboviruses varies according to sociodemographic factors. Epidemiological studies play a crucial role in assessing the prevalence of vector-borne diseases and informing public health strategies to mitigate their global impact.