The ocurrence of dengue and weather changes in Brazil: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION

Dengue is configures in recent decades as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and around the world reaching the tropical and subtropical areas.

OBJECTIVE

To review the scientific literature on the occurrence of dengue in Brazil and its relationship with meteorological variables.

METHOD

A systematic review of studies published in databases (SciELO, PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs) using descriptors related to weather variations and dengue fever in Brazil, published between 1991 to 2010. It was selected 31 articles that had the study area nationwide.

RESULTS

Most epidemiological studies use ecological design, the studies make use of entomological trapping, are common also series of studies of the disease and spatial analysis. It is evident relationship between dengue incidence with temperature and rainfall, the association is more significant from the second to fourth months of the year. Comparative studies of drought and rain show seasonal behavior of the disease. There are difficulties in establishing unique pattern of seasonality of disease incidence and weather variables for the country.

CONCLUSION

Dengue is strongly related to meteorological variables. The seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall influences the dynamics of the vector and the incidence of the disease throughout the country, regardless of the climate category.