Early Release – Shifting Dynamics of Dengue Virus Serotype 2 and Emergence of Cosmopolitan Genotype, Costa Rica, 2024 – Volume 31, Number 11—November 2025 – Emerging Infectious Diseases journal

Figure 1

Figure 1. Temporal and spatial correlation between climate-driven suitability and dengue incidence from a study of shifting dynamics of dengue virus serotype 2 and emergence of cosmopolitan genotype, Costa Rica, 2024. A)…

To assess ecologic drivers, we compared dengue incidence with a climate-driven suitability index, which integrates temperature- and humidity-dependent mosquito traits, such as biting rate, lifespan, and extrinsic incubation. Before 2022, dengue activity was irregular in Costa Rica but surged during 2022–2024 (Figure 1, panel A); we noted a moderate correlation (r = 0.38) between suitability and incidence during the 2022–2023 epidemic (Appendix 1). At the province level, correlations in 2022 were broadly consistent (Figure 1, panel B), but in 2023, we observed stronger associations in Puntarenas and Limón, where the cosmopolitan genotype first appeared, suggesting ecologic and virologic factors converged to intensify local transmission (Figure 1, panel C).

Historically, DENV-1 and DENV-2 have been the predominant serotypes in Costa Rica, fluctuating in relative proportions. However, we observed a major shift in 2023–2024, characterized by co-circulation of all 4 serotypes, mirrored by emergence of DENV-4 in late 2022 and reemergence of DENV-3 in early 2023 after a 6-year absence (Appendix 1 Figure 1, panel A). The reemergence of DENV-3 aligns with the known ubiquitous serotype cycles observed every 7–9 years, and DENV-4 emergence aligns with its recent expansion in South America (1).

To assess whether those serotype shifts were associated with longer-term changes in age distribution, we analyzed dengue case data spanning 2014–2024, the entire period of available national dengue surveillance. During the years with available dengue reports, age ranges among infected persons changed slightly, but we saw no quantifiably significant change over time (linear slope 0.17; p = 0.048) (Appendix 1 Figure 1, panel B). That estimate did not strongly support a substantial increase in the force-of-infection over time, which was supported by the relatively stable climate-driven suitability estimates (Figure 1). Force-of-infection should be mirrored by a decreasing age of reported infections; however, the age of infection increased slightly by 1.3 years for every extra circulating serotype (p<0.001), independent of year (Appendix 1 Figure 1, panel B). That finding potentially indicates that serotype mixing increased the prevalence for secondary infections, which then occurred in older persons who were already seropositive.

Concurrently, we observed a marked change in circulating DENV-2 strains; the previously dominant genotype III was replaced by genotype II in early 2024 (Appendix 1 Figure 1, panel C). During May 2023–August 2024, DENV-2 genotype III was more prevalent, particularly in Alajuela, San José, Puntarenas, and Limón, regions historically associated with high DENV transmission. Over time, however, genotype II became increasingly dominant, especially in San José, Cartago, and Alajuela, and genotype III declined. That pattern suggests a gradual replacement, potentially driven by selective advantage, immune escape, or repeated introductions from external sources.

Figure 2

Figure 2. Maximum-likelihood phylogeny and spatiotemporal expansion of dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) and emergence of cosmopolitan genotype, Costa Rica, 2024. A) Time-stamped phylogenetic tree of DENV-2 genotype III, showing 2 independent…

After launching a nationwide genomic surveillance program, Inciensa generated 133 DENV-2 whole-genome sequences during 2023–2024. Using the dynamic DENV lineage classification system (5), we assigned 110 genotype III (Asian–American) genomes to lineage D.1.2, and 23 genotype II (cosmopolitan) genomes to lineage F.1.1.2. Genotype III sequences were from 110 patients (mean age 38 years) across 7 provinces (Appendix 2 Table 1); mean genome coverage was 92.6%, and mean cycle threshold was 22. Genotype II sequences were from 23 patients (mean age 38 years) in 5 provinces (Appendix 2 Table 2); mean coverage was 80%, and mean cycle threshold was 24. Phylodynamic analyses showed a well-supported monophyletic clade of DENV-2 genotype III in Costa Rica (Figure 2, panel A; Appendix 1 Figure 2), consistent with sustained local persistence after introduction events from Central America over the previous decade.

Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction revealed cocirculation of 2 distinct clades within the DENV-2 genotype III D.1.2 lineage, here referred to as clades I and II (Figure 2, panel B). Although phylogenetically distinct, both clades belong to the same lineage. Phylogeographic analysis showed that early circulation was concentrated in Alajuela, Cartago, and San José, followed by expansion toward the coastal regions of Puntarenas and Limón. Clade I likely emerged in May 2023 (95% highest posterior density [HPD] April–late May 2023) (Figure 2, panel D) and spread from San José and Cartago to Puntarenas and Limón by early 2024. Clade II (Figure 2, panel E), detected as early as June 2023 with a similar HPD, displayed broader dispersal, including to the densely populated areas of Alajuela and San José. The spatial overlap of those sublineages with high-population regions (Figure 2, panel C) underscores the role of urban centers as transmission hubs enabling spread of DENV-2.

Figure 3

Figure 3. Time-scaled and spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) and emergence of cosmopolitan genotype, Costa Rica, 2024. A) Time-scaled phylogenic reconstruction of global DENV-2 showing major clade in Costa…

Further phylogenetic resolution of DENV-2 genotype II sequences revealed a distinct evolutionary trajectory compared with DENV-2 genotype III (Figure 3, panel A; Appendix 1 Figure 3), supporting the hypothesis of recent introduction followed by rapid establishment in Costa Rica. The time-stamped phylogenetic tree indicated that >2 independent introductions of the DENV-2 genotype II F.1.1.2 lineage likely occurred, potentially mediated by regional viral flow from countries in Latin America, including Bolivia and Brazil, and resulted in establishment of a well-supported monophyletic clade. Bayesian time-scaled phylogenetic analysis of that clade suggests emergence around October 2023, with a 95% HPD interval spanning from September to late November 2023. Early circulation was primarily concentrated in Puntarenas, Limón, and Cartago, then subsequently disseminated into San José, Alajuela, and Heredia (Figure 3, panel B). Reconstruction of viral dispersal for that major clade further highlighted its rapid establishment across densely populated areas (Figure 3, panel C). Initially detected in coastal and central provinces, the virus quickly spread into high-transmission hubs, particularly those characterized by high population density.

We used nationwide DENV genomic data and a suitability index to conduct an eco-epidemiologic assessment of dengue in Costa Rica. We documented replacement of DENV-2 Asian–American genotype by DENV-2 cosmopolitan genotype. Using sequencing, phylodynamics, and climate modeling, we showed how viral introductions, ecologic factors, and human mobility shaped transmission. Unlike other settings where genotype shifts were driven by immunity or fitness (6–8), we found no evidence of climate- or age-related increases. DENV-2 II, detected in early 2024, rapidly replaced DENV-2 genotype III despite declining circulation and did not show increased severity or deaths. At least 2 introduction events seeded widespread dissemination, consistent with patterns in Brazil and Southeast Asia (9,10). Now globally dominant, the cosmopolitan genotype has also been reported in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia (3,4,11). Its moderate correlation with climate suitability (r = 0.38) (2,12) and spread into urban centers (13–15) highlight how ecologic and mobility factors can amplify transmission. Those findings underscore the urgent need for real-time genomic surveillance integrated with environmental and mobility data to strengthen early dengue detection and targeted interventions.