In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 15, No. 7 ( 2021-7-19), p. e0009614-
Abstract:
Human mobility among residential locations can drive dengue virus (DENV) transmission dynamics. Recently, it was shown that individuals with symptomatic DENV infection exhibit significant changes in their mobility patterns, spending more time at home during illness. This change in mobility is predicted to increase the risk of acquiring infection for those living with or visiting the ill individual. It has yet to be considered, however, whether social contacts are also changing their mobility, either by socially distancing themselves from the infectious individual or increasing contact to help care for them. Social, or physical, distancing and caregiving could have diverse yet important impacts on DENV transmission dynamics; therefore, it is necessary to better understand the nature and frequency of these behaviors including their effect on mobility. Methodology and principal findings Through community-based febrile illness surveillance and RT-PCR infection confirmation, 67 DENV positive (DENV+) residents were identified in the city of Iquitos, Peru. Using retrospective interviews, data were collected on visitors and home-based care received during the illness. While 15% of participants lost visitors during their illness, 22% gained visitors; overall, 32% of all individuals (particularly females) received visitors while symptomatic. Caregiving was common (90%), particularly caring by housemates (91%) and caring for children (98%). Twenty-eight percent of caregivers changed their behavior enough to have their work (and, likely, mobility patterns) affected. This was significantly more likely when caring for individuals with low “health-related quality of well-being” during illness (Fisher’s Exact, p = 0.01). Conclusions/Significance Our study demonstrates that social contacts of individuals with dengue modify their patterns of visitation and caregiving. The observed mobility changes could impact a susceptible individual’s exposure to virus or a presymptomatic/clinically inapparent individual’s contribution to onward transmission. Accounting for changes in social contact mobility is imperative in order to get a more accurate understanding of DENV transmission.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s011
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s012
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s013
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0009614.s014
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
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