Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks

Abstract Introduction Dengue, a prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in tropical regions, is influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and urbanization. This study aims to assess the effects of microclimate, vegetation, and Aedes species distribution on dengue transmission...

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Main Authors: Nur Athen Mohd Hardy Abdullah, Nazri Che Dom, Siti Aekball Salleh, Rahmat Dapari, Nopadol Precha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21105-4
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author Nur Athen Mohd Hardy Abdullah
Nazri Che Dom
Siti Aekball Salleh
Rahmat Dapari
Nopadol Precha
author_facet Nur Athen Mohd Hardy Abdullah
Nazri Che Dom
Siti Aekball Salleh
Rahmat Dapari
Nopadol Precha
author_sort Nur Athen Mohd Hardy Abdullah
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Dengue, a prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in tropical regions, is influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and urbanization. This study aims to assess the effects of microclimate, vegetation, and Aedes species distribution on dengue transmission in distinct hotspot and non-hotspot locations. Methods This cohort study was conducted in two sites within Selangor, Malaysia: a recurrent dengue hotspot and a non-dengue hotspot. Microclimatic variables (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) were monitored over six months using data loggers, and vegetation cover was assessed through visual estimation and GIS mapping. Adult Aedes mosquitoes were collected using Gravid Oviposition Sticky (GOS) traps and identified to species level. Dengue virus presence was detected using ProDetect® Dengue NS1 Ag Rapid Test. Weekly indices for mosquito abundance and dengue risk were calculated, and statistical analyses were performed to explore correlations between microclimate, vegetation, and mosquito indices. Results In the non-dengue hotspot, Aedes albopictus was the predominant species, while both Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus coexisted in the dengue hotspot. No dengue virus was detected in Ae. albopictus, while intermittent virus presence was noted in Ae. aegypti within the dengue hotspot. Significant microclimatic differences were observed: non-dengue hotspot had higher mean humidity and lower minimum temperatures, influenced by greater vegetation cover. In contrast, dengue hotspot showed lower humidity and higher minimum temperatures. Correlation analyses indicated positive associations between temperature and mosquito abundance, with variations in vegetation cover impacting local microclimatic conditions. Conclusion This study demonstrates how vegetation and microclimatic conditions shape Aedes mosquito distribution and dengue risk. Findings highlight the need for targeted urban planning and community interventions that reduce mosquito breeding habitats, with special attention to vegetation management and environmental modifications to control dengue transmission.
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spelling doaj-art-d8496da3952c48dea6e9bab1bf88faa12025-01-05T12:49:01ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111510.1186/s12889-024-21105-4Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaksNur Athen Mohd Hardy Abdullah0Nazri Che Dom1Siti Aekball Salleh2Rahmat Dapari3Nopadol Precha4Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan SelangorFaculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UITM Cawangan SelangorInstitute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Universiti Teknologi MARAFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra MalaysiaDepartment of Environmental Health and Technology, School of Public Health, Walailak UniversityAbstract Introduction Dengue, a prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in tropical regions, is influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and urbanization. This study aims to assess the effects of microclimate, vegetation, and Aedes species distribution on dengue transmission in distinct hotspot and non-hotspot locations. Methods This cohort study was conducted in two sites within Selangor, Malaysia: a recurrent dengue hotspot and a non-dengue hotspot. Microclimatic variables (temperature, humidity, and rainfall) were monitored over six months using data loggers, and vegetation cover was assessed through visual estimation and GIS mapping. Adult Aedes mosquitoes were collected using Gravid Oviposition Sticky (GOS) traps and identified to species level. Dengue virus presence was detected using ProDetect® Dengue NS1 Ag Rapid Test. Weekly indices for mosquito abundance and dengue risk were calculated, and statistical analyses were performed to explore correlations between microclimate, vegetation, and mosquito indices. Results In the non-dengue hotspot, Aedes albopictus was the predominant species, while both Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus coexisted in the dengue hotspot. No dengue virus was detected in Ae. albopictus, while intermittent virus presence was noted in Ae. aegypti within the dengue hotspot. Significant microclimatic differences were observed: non-dengue hotspot had higher mean humidity and lower minimum temperatures, influenced by greater vegetation cover. In contrast, dengue hotspot showed lower humidity and higher minimum temperatures. Correlation analyses indicated positive associations between temperature and mosquito abundance, with variations in vegetation cover impacting local microclimatic conditions. Conclusion This study demonstrates how vegetation and microclimatic conditions shape Aedes mosquito distribution and dengue risk. Findings highlight the need for targeted urban planning and community interventions that reduce mosquito breeding habitats, with special attention to vegetation management and environmental modifications to control dengue transmission.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21105-4MicroclimateVegetation coverAedes albopictusAedes aegyptiAbundance
spellingShingle Nur Athen Mohd Hardy Abdullah
Nazri Che Dom
Siti Aekball Salleh
Rahmat Dapari
Nopadol Precha
Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
BMC Public Health
Microclimate
Vegetation cover
Aedes albopictus
Aedes aegypti
Abundance
title Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
title_full Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
title_fullStr Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
title_full_unstemmed Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
title_short Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
title_sort dengue s climate conundrum how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
topic Microclimate
Vegetation cover
Aedes albopictus
Aedes aegypti
Abundance
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21105-4
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