Abstract

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While there are over 80 members of the Flaviviridae Family, some of which represent a global threat, Dengue, and West Nile viruses represent two of the major human pathogens that produce life threatening conditions and complications. These mosquito-borne viral infections have not so much been studied in rural and sub-urban areas of the sub-Saharan regions where the vectors thrive. This study seeks to know the burden of dengue and West Nile infections, and likely co-infection in Ile-Ife and its environs. Two hundred and fifty-five (255) participants from the Primary Healthcare facilities in Ile-Ife township and the surrounding Local Government Areas were involved in the study. Some subjects residing outside Ile-Ife who visited the facilities were also included. Venous blood samples collected from 255 participants were screened for Dengue and West Nile IgM antibodies using corresponding ELISA kits from Dia-Pro, Italy. Out of the 255 screened, positive for dengue IgM only were 74 (29.0%), positive only for West Nile IgM 125 (49.0%) and 46 (18.0%) were positive for both dengue and West Nile IgM. Ife Central Local Government Area has the highest prevalence (38.5%) of dengue while Ife Area Office (Modakeke) has the highest West Nile infection, 69.6%. More females, 36 (14.1%), out of 46 (18%) were co-infected with WNV and Dengue. Mostly affected were women, middle-aged individuals of ages 19 – 27 years, and traders. The environment, occupation, academic level, and availability of modern healthcare facilities for these sub-urban areas must be improved upon if these tropical arboviral diseases would be controlled

Keywords: Co-infection, Dengue, ELISA, IgM, West-Nile