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

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 dist...

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Main Authors: Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy, Dom, Nazri Che, Salleh, Siti Aekball, Dapari, Rahmat, Precha, Nopadol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BioMed Central 2025
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/1/118638.pdf
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author Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy
Dom, Nazri Che
Salleh, Siti Aekball
Dapari, Rahmat
Precha, Nopadol
author_facet Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy
Dom, Nazri Che
Salleh, Siti Aekball
Dapari, Rahmat
Precha, Nopadol
author_sort Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description 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, Aedesalbopictus was the predominant species, while both Aedesaegypti 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 upm-1186382025-07-21T02:58:33Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/ Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy Dom, Nazri Che Salleh, Siti Aekball Dapari, Rahmat Precha, Nopadol 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, Aedesalbopictus was the predominant species, while both Aedesaegypti 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. BioMed Central 2025 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_nd_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/1/118638.pdf Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy and Dom, Nazri Che and Salleh, Siti Aekball and Dapari, Rahmat and Precha, Nopadol (2025) Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks. BMC Public Health, 25 (1). art. no. 4. pp. 1-15. ISSN 1471-2458 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-21105-4 10.1186/s12889-024-21105-4
spellingShingle Abdullah, Nur Athen Mohd Hardy
Dom, Nazri Che
Salleh, Siti Aekball
Dapari, Rahmat
Precha, Nopadol
Dengue’s climate conundrum: how vegetation and temperature shape mosquito populations and disease outbreaks
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
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118638/1/118638.pdf