A potential risk assessment of a dengue outbreak in north central Texas, USA. (Part 2 of 2): Development of a practical prevention strategy.
In response to three dengue cases in north central Texas in 2005, the authors assessed the potential risk of a dengue outbreak in Dallas County in 2006. As a part of the assessment, habitat factors for dengue vector mosquitoes were quantified and associated with their abundances. In addition, percent population originated from endemic countries (Hispanic origin in the Census data) was associated with vector abundances and habitat factors of the vectors. Percent population data were obtained from publicly accessible databases. The areas with higher Hispanic populations had more Aedes aegypti and container numbers and also appeared to have more shade, which is attractive to this species. The methodology of this study may help to devise a practical strategy to reduce the risk of dengue outbreak in areas where dengue vector activity is present and a potential source of infection.
Lee
Joon-Hak
JH
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of North Texas-Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA. jolee@hsc.unt.edu
Stahl
Matt
M
Sawlis
Scott
S
Suzuki
Sumi
S
D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004777:Environment; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D009032:Mosquito Control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology