Epidemiological surveillance of main vector borne arboviral diseases in Brazil: a brief review

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in infections caused by arboviruses in tropical countries, resulting in 700,000 deaths yearly; this is now considered a worldwide public health problem. In Brazil, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya are the main circulating arboviruses, which can be transmitted by the same vectors (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). In addition, more than 80% of the world's population lives in areas that are at a risk of having at least one of the main vector-borne diseases, as vector control remains neglected. To optimize interventions, it is necessary to make greater strategic investments, i.e., to improve entomological surveillance and coordination within and between sectors as well as to strengthen monitoring systems. For implementation, the anatomy, physiology, and habits of the vectors must be known in order to adopt correct measures for the control of these vectors. Thus, several methods are used according to climatic conditions, regions, and rainfall, as these directly influence the vector cycle. Finally, the use of techniques applied in molecular surveillance, such as xenomonitoring, can help to control vectors, thus preventing new outbreaks of arboviruses.