Brazilian study shows having dengue can develop immunity against COVID-19

A study in Brazil has shown that individuals who had dengue may develop immunity against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They have also formed antibodies that result to a false positive in the COVID-19 test even if they are not infected.

The study cites that areas with a low number of COVID-19 cases and slow transmission
rate are the very same places with high dengue infection rate from 2019 to 2020. There were similar results in countries in Asia, Latin America, and even in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

However, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire cautioned about being careful in interpreting studies regarding COVID-19.

“Sometimes, these studies that they issue, [these] articles, they would have disclaimers [that it is not yet] peer reviewed. Hindi pa’ to nakaka-undergo ng (it has not undergone a) rigorous process of research.”

She also added that the study has only compared Sars-CoV-2 to the dengue virus so a conclusion is not yet feasible. However, the DOH has assured that it will do research and gather evidences regarding the Brazil study. – Report from Mark Fetalco