Arbovirus co-circulation in Dhaka

Dengue now causes 390 million infections annually, with incidence accelerating in recent decades due to climate change, rapid urbanization, poor quality housing and sanitation management, and globalization. Significant gaps persist in detecting dengue and co-circulating arboviruses affecting children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, due to limited surveillance. National dengue guidelines focus on laboratory tests at referral centers, often inaccessible to Dhaka's general population, and do not recommend testing for cross-reactive viruses like chikungunya, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis (JE). These viruses co-circulate with dengue, though their burdens are poorly documented and they may be misdiagnosed. This study aims to estimate the incidence and co-circulation of chikungunya, Zika, and JE among dengue-positive study participants. This study will involve testing children aged 2 to 12 in Dhaka for chikungunya, Zika, and JE. This study will improve screening, diagnosis, and prevention of severe outcomes, addressing a critical public health gap in Bangladesh and offering insights for similar regions.