Spatial Analysis of Mosquito-Borne Illness Prevalence in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua

Recently mosquito-borne illnesses (MBI) such as Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZV) proved to be of major public health importance in the Western Hemisphere. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of selfreported MBI by geographic region in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua and gain insight into the number of community members seeking medical attention for MBI. This study involved a door-to-door survey of 1015 households (N=5778) in Nueva Vida, a community within Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua and capture of spatial video of the community to determine areas of potential high risk for MBI outbreaks. The community is divided into sections, or etapas, and surveys were completed for each of the five etapas. The head of the household completed the survey and a response rate of approximately 82% was achieved for Nueva Vida. The number of selfreported MBI totaled 1,730 individuals or 29.9% of the surveyed population. Of the self-reported illnesses, 2.4 % were malaria (N=42), 5.0% were dengue (N=87), 91.9 % were chikungunya (N= 1589), and 0.7% were Zika (N =12). For all MBI 21.25 % of the population visited a doctor (N=1228) and 2.71 % visited a hospital (N= 157). Environmental risk factors such as standing water and trash were documented through spatial video. MBI and environmental risk factors were mapped using geospatial analysis. MBI varied by location with etapas 2 and 3 having the highest prevalence MBI (30% and 26%, respectively). Maps provided a visualization of MBI prevalence and environmental risk factors, illustrating sections of etapas 2, 3, and 4 as the highest risk zones in the community for potential MBI outbreaks, such as ZV or CHIKV. The data demonstrates that MBI have a great potential to impact the Nueva Vida community. Results suggest a need for educational programs on

MBI transmission and targeted prevention activities in high-risk areas, specifically with the potential spread of ZV in a community where CHIKV prevalence was previously high.