Influence of meteorological variables on the incidence of chickenpox in São Paulo

• Grant number: 17/17110-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2017
• End date: September 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Marina Piacenti da Silva
• Grantee: Rodrigo de Souza Xavier
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Among the numerous diseases that can be associated with climatic conditions is Varicella, which consists of the primary infection of the varicella-zoster virus, predominantly a childhood disease in unvaccinated populations. It is characterized by a vesicular skin eruption, frequently accompanied by fever and feeling of discomfort. In this work, the influence of meteorological variables as the number of varicella cases between 2008 and 2016 will be evaluated in five cities in the state of São Paulo: Bertioga, Ourinhos, Bauru, São Paulo and Campos do Jordão. The study cities present different climatic characteristics, according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. It is expected that the results of this study will help understand the impact of the climate on the incidence of varicella in the state of São Paulo. Once correlations are established between epidemiological aspects of varicella and the meteorological variables, control, vaccination and hospital management policies can be (re) discussed in order to optimize care and reduce costs of prevention and treatment. (AU)