DETECTABLE ANTI-DENGUE VIRUS IGM ANTIBODIES AMONG HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS IN OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Dengue fever is a zoonosis maintained in nature by mosquitoes transmitting virus between non-human primate species, most of which develop clinically in apparent infection. It has been found to be endemic in Africa and beyond. A survey for Dengue virus IgM antibody was carried out in Ogbomoso (urban and rural areas) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (WKEA Med Supplies Corp, Dengue fever virus ELISA Kit (China),) to determine the seroprevalence and true incidence of dengue virus in Ogbomoso. A total of 186 apparently healthy individuals were recruited into the study. The sera of 93 subjects who consented to participate were collected. The mean age of the subjects tested was 37.6 +/- 0.67. Anti-Dengue virus IgM antibodies were found in 16/ 93, (17.2%). The highest prevalence of anti-Dengue 28.6% was found in persons whose ages were between 0-15 years, males (18.9%), civil servants (26.3%) and urban dwellers (21.3%). The findings from this study show that there is primary infection of this virus in Ogbomoso and suggest the need for preventive and control measures against dengue fever virus.