Dengue and Dengue Virus in Guangdong, China, 1978-2017: Epidemiology, Seroprevalence, Evolution, and Policies

Fengfu Cui; Feiwu He; Xiaorong Huang; Lina Tian; Saiqiang Li; Chumin Liang; Lilian Zeng; Huifang Lin; Juan Su; Liping Liu; Wei Zhao; Limei Sun; Lifeng Lin; Jiufeng Sun

doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.797674

Dengue and Dengue Virus in Guangdong, China, 1978-2017: Epidemiology, Seroprevalence, Evolution, and Policies

Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Mar 21:9:797674. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.797674. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fengfu Cui^{1

2

3}, Feiwu He⁴, Xiaorong Huang^{1

2

3}, Lina Tian^{2

3}, Saiqiang Li^{2

3}, Chumin Liang^{2

3}, Lilian Zeng^{2

3}, Huifang Lin^{2

3}, Juan Su², Liping Liu², Wei Zhao¹, Limei Sun², Lifeng Lin², Jiufeng Sun^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
² Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China.
³ Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Background: Guangdong is a hyperepidemic area of dengue, which has over 0.72 million cumulative cases within the last four decades, accounting for more than 90% of cases in China. The local epidemic of dengue in Guangdong is suspected to be triggered by imported cases and results in consequent seasonal transmission. However, the comprehensive epidemiological characteristics of dengue in Guangdong are still unclear.

Methods: The epidemiology, seroprevalence, molecular evolution of dengue virus, and the development of policies and strategies on the prevention and control of dengue were analyzed in Guangdong, China from 1978 to 2017.

Findings: Seasonal transmission of dengue virus in Guangdong, China was mainly sustained from July to October of each year. August to September was the highest risk period of local dengue outbreaks. Most of the dengue cases in Guangdong were young and middle-aged adults. Five hundred and three fatal cases were recorded, which declined within the last two decades (n = 10). The serological test of healthy donors' serum samples showed a positive rate of 5.77%. Dengue virus 1-4 (DENV 1-4) was detected in Guangdong from 1978 to 2017. DENV 1 was the dominant serotype of dengue outbreaks from 1978 to 2017, with an increasing tendency of DENV 2 since 2010. Local outbreaks of DENV 3 were rare. DENV 4 was only encountered in imported cases in Guangdong, China. The imported cases were the main source of outbreaks of DENV 1-2. Early detection, management of dengue cases, and precise vector control were the key strategies for local dengue prevention and control in Guangdong, China.

Interpretation: Dengue has not become an endemic arboviral disease in Guangdong, China. Early detection, case management, and implementation of precise control strategies are key findings for preventing local dengue transmission, which may serve for countries still struggling to combat imported dengue in the west pacific areas.

Keywords: dengue; dengue virus; molecular epidemiology; policies; seroprevalence.