Predictive models of dengue epidemiology: the role of climate variables influencing vector mosquitoes

• Grant number: 15/14359-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology
• Principal Investigator: Claudio José von Zuben
• Grantee: Larissa Braz Sousa
• Supervisor: Craig Robert Williams
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of South Australia (UniSA), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/05101-2 - Influence of climate change in different regions of Brazil on dengue vector and perceptions of the local population of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, on aspects of dengue, BP.MS

Abstract

Dengue has become a major public health problem distributed and aggravated in poorer countries. Its main vector, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti, develops strictly in urban areas biting humans and using artificial water sources as breeding sites. The dynamics of dengue transmission involves a complex relationship between the climate, humans and environment. Thus, methods of prevention mainly involve monitoring techniques and vector control. Studies on the distribution dynamics of Ae. aegypti and its relation to environmental and climatic gradients, are of great importance to understand the epidemiological dynamics of the disease and to adopt more effective preventive measurements. Therefore, this research project aims to analyze local weather, entomologic, and demographic data and their influence on the distribution of the disease in Brazil (a tropical and continental country). Climatic variables such as temperature, relative humidity and rainfall will be considered for the development of predictive models to inform preventative control policies. (AU)