Abstract
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease (family: Flaviviridae) transmitted by the urban-dwelling mosquito Aedes aegypti and, less efficiently, by the cold-tolerant species Aedes albopictus. Approximately 390 million people living in tropical and subtropical regions are infected each year (Bhatt et al., 2013). It affects mainly people living in urban areas and on the urban fringe because the primary vector, Ae. aegypti, is well adapted to urban environments and feeds preferentially on humans. Dengue manifests with a wide range of severity, from asymptomatic to life threatening. Dengue can only be treated symptomatically; there is no effective antiviral treatment. Current vaccines are only partially effective, and in any case may not be affordable for the majority. Several factors must exist for dengue virus transmission to occur. Climatic conditions that are both appropriate for the biology and ecology of the vector and warm enough for virus replication are necessary – but not sufficient. Within these climatic constraints, biotic and societal factors determine whether or not the transmission of dengue actually occurs, and also its intensity. A viral source in a human is required for transmission to occur: the virus is not thought to ‘overwinter’ in the vector. In non-endemic regions with a suitable vector, the importation of the virus via, for example, infected tourists or returning workers is necessary for transmission. Human migration is not required if the virus is endemic. There also needs to be the presence of competent dengue vectors. Finally, there must be contact between these vectors and a susceptible (non-immune) human population. These factors are driven and shaped by social, economic and environmental circumstances.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Climate Change and Global Health |
Editors | Colin D. Butler |
Place of Publication | U.S. |
Publisher | CABI |
Pages | 77-84 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781780642659 |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- climatic changes
- dengue
- flaviviral diseases
- vector-borne disease