The fewer, the better fare: Can the loss of vegetation in the Cerrado drive the increase in dengue fever cases infection?

PLoS One. 2022 Jan 13;17(1):e0262473. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262473. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Several studies have reported the relationship of deforestation with increased incidence of infectious diseases, mainly due to the deregulation caused in these environments. The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: a) is increased loss of vegetation related to dengue cases in the Brazilian Cerrado? b) how do different regions of the tropical savanna biome present distinct patterns for total dengue cases and vegetation loss? c) what is the projection of a future scenario of deforestation and an increased number of dengue cases in 2030? Thus, this study aimed to assess the relationship between loss of native vegetation in the Cerrado and dengue infection. In this paper, we quantify the entire deforested area and dengue infection cases from 2001 to 2019. For data analyses, we used Poisson generalized linear model, descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, non-parametric statistics, and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models to predict loss of vegetation and fever dengue cases for the next decade. Cluster analysis revealed the formation of four clusters among the states. Our results showed significant increases in loss of native vegetation in all states, with the exception of Piauí. As for dengue cases, there were increases in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Mato Grosso. Based on projections for 2030, Minas Gerais will register about 4,000 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants, São Paulo 750 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and Mato Grosso 500 dengue cases per 100,000 inhabitants. To reduce these projections, Brazil will need to control deforestation and implement public health, environmental and social policies, requiring a joint effort from all spheres of society.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / statistics & numerical data
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / trends*
  • Dengue / epidemiology
  • Dengue / etiology*
  • Dengue Virus / pathogenicity
  • Ecosystem
  • Environment
  • Humans
  • Incidence

Grants and funding

The authors would like to thank the Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) – Grant number 303767/2020-0 and Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) process number 71/019.039/2021. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) – Financial Code 001.