Vector distribution and transmission risk of the Zika virus in South and Central America.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Zika is of great medical relevance due to its rapid geographical spread in 2015 and 2016 in South America and its serious implications, for example, certain birth defects. Recent epidemics urgently require a better understanding of geographic patterns of the Zika virus transmission risk. This study aims to map the Zika virus transmission risk in South and Central America. We applied the maximum entropy approach, which is common for species distribution modelling, but is now also widely in use for estimating the geographical distribution of infectious diseases.

Methods

As predictor variables we used a set of variables considered to be potential drivers of both direct and indirect effects on the emergence of Zika. Specifically, we considered (a) the modelled habitat

SUBMITTER: Cunze S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6863140 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature