Exploring the Risk Factors for Sequential or Concurrent Dengue and Zika Outbreaks in a Naïve Population

Arboviruses pose an ever-growing concern as the habitat of vectors expand alongside climate change. The outcome of outbreaks is often heavily influenced by the immune status of the population. Different pathogens can either protect against others or increase susceptibility and morbidity depending on infection timings and how closely related the pathogens are. A good example of this is seen with flaviviruses, particularly dengue and Zika, where both cross-reactivity and antibody dependent enhancement is observed. Zika and the different strains of dengue are carried by the same vectors, Aedes aegypti and albopictus, therefore, concurrent and sequential outbreaks often occur in the same regions. Ontario, Canada has had persistent population of A. albopictus since 2016 putting it at risk of new arboviruses. This project aims to combine statistical models to map A. albopictus and mechanistic models comparing concurrent and sequential outbreaks of flaviviruses in terms of antibody dependent enhancement to explore the dynamics and risk factors associated with such outbreaks in an immunologically naïve population.

Faculty Supervisor:

Amy Greer

Student:

Partner:

University of Warwick

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Guelph

Program: