Collaborators: Cynthia Vazquez, Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara, Vagner Fonseca, Mauricio Lima, Joilson Xavier, Talita Adelino, Hegger Fritsch, Emerson Castro, Carla de Oliveira, Gabriel Schuab, Alex Ranieri Jerônimo Lima, Shirley Villalba, Andrea Gomez de la Fuente, Analia Rojas, Cesar Cantero, Fatima Fleitas, Carolina Aquino, Andrea Ojeda, Guillermo Sequera, Juan Torales, Julio Barrios, Maria Carolina Elias, Felipe C. M. Iani, Maria Jose Ortega, Maria Liz Gamarra, Romeo Montoya, Evandra Strazza Rodrigues, Simone Kashima, Sandra Coccuzzo Sampaio, Norma Coluchi, Juliana Leite, Lionel Gresh, Leticia Franco, José Lourenço11, Jairo Mendez Rico, Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis, Marta Giovanetti
Summary: Dengue virus (DENV) has been a major public health concern in Paraguay, with frequent outbreaks occurring since early 1988. Although control measures have been implemented, dengue remains a significant health threat in the country, and continued efforts are required for prevention and control. In response to that, in collaboration with the Central Public Health Laboratory in Asunción we conducted a portable whole-genome sequencing and phylodynamic analysis to investigate DENV viral strains circulating in Paraguay over the past epidemics. Our genomic surveillance activities revealed the co-circulation of multiple DENV serotypes: DENV-1 genotype V, the emerging DENV-2 genotype III, BR4-L2 clade, and DENV-4 genotype II. Results additionally highlight the possible role of Brazil as a source for the international dispersion of different viral strains to other countries in the Americas emphasizing the need for increased surveillance across the borders, for the early detection and response to outbreaks. This, in turn, emphasizes the critical role of genomic surveillance in monitoring and understanding arbovirus transmission and persistence locally and over long distances.
Activity type: PaperClimade team: Brazil, Americas