Examining the Potential for South American Arboviruses to Spread Beyond the New World

• Published in: Current clinical microbiology reports Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 208 - 217
• Main Authors: Peña-García, Víctor Hugo, McCracken, Michael K., Christofferson, Rebecca C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Chikungunya virus; Herd immunity; Medical Microbiology; Public health; Recent Developments in Anti-viral Vaccines (K Kousoulas and P Rider; Section Editors; Topical Collection on Recent Developments in Anti-viral Vaccines; Viruses; Yellow fever; Emerging viruses; Chikungunya; Mayaro; Zika; Yellow fever; Oropouche; emerging viruses; yellow fever; chikungunya
• ISSN: 2196-5471; 2196-5471
• DOI: 10.1007/s40588-017-0076-4

Purpose of Review Zika and chikungunya viruses emerged as public health emergencies in the western hemisphere where previously they had not been reported on a large scale. Millions were infected as the viruses met with virtually no herd immunity upon emergence. We explore the histories of these two recent arbovirus experiences in South America. We then review similar three endemic South American viruses: yellow fever, Oropouche, and Mayaro viruses. Recent Findings We discuss the commonalities of the transmission systems and the possibility of an atypical emergence, that of the New World virus to the Old World. Summary We discuss the avenues for research that would increase preparedness and efficiency of response should a South American arbovirus emerge in the eastern hemisphere.