Climatic and socio-economic factors supporting the co-circulation of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in three different ecosystems in Colombia

Abstract

Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are diseases of global health significance caused by arboviruses and transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is of worldwide circulation. The arrival of the Zika and chikungunya viruses to South America increased the complexity of transmission and morbidity caused by these viruses co-circulating in the same vector mosquito species. Here we present an integrated analysis of the reported arbovirus cases between 2007 and 2017 and local climate and socio-economic profiles of three distinct Colombian municipalities (Bello, Cúcuta and Moniquirá). These locations were confirmed as three different ecosystems given their contrasted geographic, climatic and socio-economic profiles. Correlational analyses were conducted with both generalised linear models and generalised additive models for the geographical data. Average temperature, minimum temperature and wind speed were strongly correlated with disease incidence. The transmission of Zika during the 2016 epidemic appeared to decrease circulation of dengue in Cúcuta, an area of sustained high incidence of dengue. Socio-economic factors such as barriers to health and childhood services, inadequate sanitation and poor water supply suggested an unfavourable impact on the transmission of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in all three ecosystems. Socio-demographic influencers were also discussed including the influx of people to Cúcuta, fleeing political and economic instability from neighbouring Venezuela. Aedes aegypti is expanding its range and increasing the global threat of these diseases. It is therefore vital that we learn from the epidemiology of these arboviruses and translate it into an actionable local knowledge base. This is even more acute given the recent historical high of dengue cases in the Americas in 2019, preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, which is itself hampering mosquito control efforts.

Expansive and diverse phenotypic landscape of field Aedes aegypti larvae with differential susceptibility to temephos: beyond metabolic detoxification

“…aegypti from Cúcuta whilst larvae from Bello were susceptible. Bello is an area of relatively low arbovirus incidence[44] and has a lower frequency of insecticide usage [73], whilst Cúcuta is an area of high arbovirus incidence which has seen routine use of temephos for Ae. aegypti control over four decades [17].…”

“…These municipalities were previously shown to be distinct in burden of Ae. aegypti borne disease, socioeconomic status and climate [44]. Mosquito collections took place in 2016 (Bello) and 2017 (Cúcuta) with the assistance of personnel from biology and control of infectious diseases research groups (University of Antioquia) and vector-borne disease program staff within each municipality.…”

“…The field samples originated from areas of differential arbovirus burden and incidence in Colombia. In a previous study we stratified three regions in this country with distinctive arboviral disease incidence, climatic variables and socio-economic profiles through a recent time window of 11 years [44]. In the present work, Ae.…”

Impact of Climate Variability and Incidence on Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia

“…The temperature was the most significant contributor to the occurrence of DHF in Nepal, accounting for nearly 90% of the influence [34]. An average temperature of 25-30°C provides an ideal environment for mosquito vector breeding and development [35]. Temperature influences the virus's extrinsic incubation period and mosquitoes' biting activity [36].…”

Dengue outbreaks in the COVID-19 era: Alarm raised for Asia

“…Most dengue endemic countries are low-and middle-income countries. Lower socioeconomic conditions with large numbers of people living in densely populated areas in poorly constructed housing without adequate clean water and sanitation tend to promote Aedes aegypti populations and lead to dengue outbreaks [12]. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, poorer countries and lower socioeconomic groups are now disproportionately affected [13], with already disadvantaged conditions exacerbating the potential for dengue epidemics and overlapping with other infectious disease outbreaks.…”