Seroprevalence of Chikungunya Virus Among Febrile Patients in Delta State

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arboviral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is an underrecognised cause of febrile arthralgia in Nigeria, frequently misdiagnosed as malaria or rheumatic disease. This study determines the seroprevalence of CHIKV IgM and IgG antibodies among febrile patients presenting at general outpatient departments in Delta State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional design will recruit 350 consecutive febrile patients (temperature above 38 degrees Celsius) at two general hospitals in Asaba and Warri local government areas over a six-month rainy season period. Serum samples will be screened using CHIKV-specific ELISA kits, with reactive samples stratified by antibody class to distinguish recent versus past infections. Patient data on duration of fever, joint pain, rash, travel history, and malaria rapid diagnostic test results will be recorded. Association between CHIKV seropositivity and urban versus peri-urban residence will be examined using chi-square analysis. Recent arboviral surveys in southern Nigeria have detected CHIKV seroprevalence rates of 5 to 20 percent in febrile cohorts, suggesting substantial underdiagnosis. Findings will provide baseline epidemiological data for Delta State, informing clinicians about the differential diagnosis of fever with arthralgia and supporting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control's arboviral disease surveillance mandate. Keywords: chikungunya virus, seroprevalence, febrile patients, Delta State, arboviral disease