A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Socio-environmental Factors for DENV, ZIKV, CHIKV and Malaria Distribution, Co-circulation, and Co-infection in Colombia

Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) are three viruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. These four vector-borne diseases (VBDs) present a significant disease burden and potential for expansion, globally. Transmission of these VBDs is shaped by climatic, environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. In regions like Colombia, where the four VBDs co-circulate, their presence typically reflects profound social and structural inequalities. Beyond their shared seasonal patterns and similar endemic profiles, clinical misdiagnosis is possible due to similarity of their symptoms at early disease stages, and lack of confirmatory testing. Despite extensive arbovirus research, few studies have jointly evaluated the distribution, co-circulation, and co-infection of DENV-CHIKV-ZIKV and malaria with integrated analyses that incorporate salient socio-environmental determinants. The socio-demographic composition, diverse environmental characteristics, and limited access to healthcare in certain regions of Colombia presents a unique opportunity to study different dimensions of social inequalities in these outcomes, and to assess heterogeneous risk. I will analyse the spatial and temporal distribution, co-circulation, and co-infection patterns of DENV-CHIKV-ZIKV and malaria in Colombia (2019-2025) by integrating existent sociodemographic, clinical, climatic, and entomological data. Using a One Health approach to assess inequalities, my proposed study aims to provide a holistic understanding of determinants of disease presence, to inform more equitable disease control strategies.