The impact of dengue illness on social distancing and caregiving behavior.
Kathryn L SchaberAmy C MorrisonWilliam H ElsonHelvio AsteteJhonny J Córdova-LópezEsther Jennifer Ríos LópezW Lorena Quiroz FloresAlfonso S Vizcarra SantillanThomas W ScottLance Allyn WallerUriel KitronChristopher M BarkerT Alex PerkinsAlan L RothmanGonzalo M Vazquez-ProkopecJohn P ElderValerie A Paz-SoldanPublished in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases (2021)
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.