Climatic factors and the incidence of dengue in Cartagena, Colombian Caribbean Region

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Eder Cano-Pérez, Steev Loyola, Dacia Malambo-García, Doris Gómez-Camargo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2022
• Subjects: Dengue; Mosquito-borne disease; Climatic factors; Macroclimatic phenomena; Colombian Caribbean region; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0072-2022; https://doaj.org/article/02eebd04f6a842b8b8e9845f2b7d9b75

ABSTRACT Background: The influence of climate on the epidemiology of dengue has scarcely been studied in Cartagena. Methods: The relationship between dengue cases and climatic and macroclimatic factors was explored using an ecological design and bivariate and time-series analyses during lag and non-lag months. Data from 2008-2017 was obtained from the national surveillance system and meteorological stations. Results: Cases correlated only with climatic variables during lag and non-lag months. Decreases in precipitation and humidity and increases in temperature were correlated with an increase in cases. Conclusions: Our findings provide useful information for establishing and strengthening dengue prevention and control strategies.