AMD projects

Using AMD to track changes in dengue and chikungunya viruses

Mosquitoes can leave more than an irritating itch when they bite, they also can infect people with viruses, such as dengue and chikungunya. For decades, dengue has been found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Annually, an estimated 390 million people are infected with dengue. While chikungunya wasn’t detected in the Western Hemisphere until 2013, the epidemic has already spread to 45 countries in the region with reports of 1.5 million sick people.

Both dengue and chikungunya are spread by two species of Aedes mosquitoes: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes are found throughout the Western Hemisphere, including parts of the United States. Mosquitoes become infected after biting a person sick with the virus. Once infected, the mosquito can bite other people and spread the virus.

amd-projects-dengue-chikungunya-viruses.pdf

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection