O-84 Diagnosis and epidemiology of arbovirus infections in Grenada, 2023–2025
Author(s):
BE Dawes, M Kiener, M Fletcher , E Chitan , S Telesford , J Hinds, V Matthew-Belmar, E Buyukcangaz, A Yanik , BA Pinsky, T Noel, CNL Macpherson, A D LaBeaud
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: To better understand the arboviral causes of
acute febrile illness in Grenada, identify currently circulating viruses, and determine epidemiologic risk factors.
Methods: We collected serum and risk factor survey data from people reporting fever from across Grenada from 2023–2025. Participants were recruited from health centers, private clinics and labs, and from community outreach and house visits. Sera were tested via RT-PCR for dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. Statistical analysis was performed to determine relevant risk factors.
Results: From 2023–2025 we recruited 647 febrile participants to our study. Of these, 98 (15%) were positive via RT-PCR for dengue virus infection, 1 for chikungunya, and no Zika cases were detected. The majority of samples were collected during a known dengue epidemic in 2024, and all dengue infections were detected during the rainy season (June-October). Univariate analysis revealed St. George Parish, Non-Afro-Caribbean race, higher education, living in an apartment, living in concrete structures, having air conditioning/window screens, students, travel, and collection of samples from SGU clinic as potential risk factors. Adjusting for this potential risk factors in a multivariable logistic regression model, only non-Afro-Caribbean race, and living in an apartment remain significantly correlated to DENV infection, while higher education is associated with non-DENV acute febrile illness.
Conclusion: Grenada experienced DENV epidemic between August–October 2024. Among those presenting with acute febrile illness in Grenada, approximately 15% were diagnosed with DENV by RT-PCR and associated with non-Afro-Caribbean race and residing in apartments. CHIKV was detected in a single case in 2023 suggesting either low-level endemic transmission or sporadic importation. No ZIKV cases were detected during the study period.