Key messages
Given the particular nature of zoonotic infections, the patient’s clinical portrait must be assessed taking into account risk factors, in particular exhibition places, seasonality as well as the presence of competent vectors, because they can greatly influence the positive predictive value of laboratory tests. It is therefore important for clinicians to take these factors into account in the event of a suspicion of vector zoonosis and to report them properly.
The epidemiological data of the public health authorities are clear and it indicates a clear progression of endemic and exotic arboviroses towards more northern latitudes around the world.
Global warming, the increase in the human population and the geographic progression of natural hosts and vectors will undoubtedly help to modify the epidemiological portrait of arboviroses in the coming years2.
The Quebec Public Health Laboratory (LSPQ) will continue to innovate and set up new tests to respond to current infectious threats, but also those that point to the horizon.
Given the evolution of the epidemiology of arboviroses in the world, this practice guide proposes to deeply review the analyzes offered by the LSPQ and its partners and to supervise them according to the stage of the disease in the symptomatic patient. Considering the high number of arboviroses known to date, special attention has been paid to emerging arboviroses with an impact on the Quebec health network.
