Burden of HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses in incoming Venezuelan migrants at the Colombian border: a laboratory-based cross-sectional study, 2021–2023

OBJECTIVES: The socioeconomic crisis in Venezuela has urged many to seek refuge elsewhere, primarily in Colombia. The vulnerability to and epidemiology of blood-borne viruses causing chronic infections such as HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in incoming migrants at the Colombian border remain uncertain, which we aimed to elucidate. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2469 adult Venezuelan migrants during 2021 (n= 1582) and 2023 (n= 887) encountered at governmental and nongovernmental organizations providing food and social services in Bucaramanga and Cúcuta, Colombia, close to the Venezuelan border. Demographic data and blood samples were collected and analysed by molecular, serological and bioinformatic tools. RESULTS: IU/mL). Both HBV and HCV rates were comparable to Colombian population-level estimates, whereas HIV rates in migrants were 2x higher. No coinfections of HIV, HBV, or HCV were found. High levels of HIV but not HCV suggested predominantly sexual transmission rather than illicit drug use or contaminated blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed a high burden of HIV, but not HBV and HCV in incoming Venezuelan migrants. Implementation of testing, educational, and prophylactic programmes in this highly vulnerable population at the border region is imperative.