Multiobjective optimization to assess dengue control costs using a climate-dependent epidemiological model

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Arboviruses, like dengue, pose a significant global public health challenge, causing millions of infections annually.
• Dengue lacks specific treatments and widely available vaccines, making vector control the primary prevention strategy.
• The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary vector for dengue transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a temperature, precipitation, and humidity-dependent epidemiological model for dengue.
• To optimize vector control strategies, minimizing insecticide use and societal treatment costs.
• To compare the economic impact of vector control interventions versus the cost of treating dengue infections.

Main Methods:

• An epidemiological model incorporating symptomatic and asymptomatic dengue infections was developed.
• Computer simulations were used to analyze the impact of environmental variables on dengue transmission.
• A multiobjective optimization model was applied, integrating larvicide, adulticide, and ultra-low volume spraying strategies.
• The model was fitted with real-world dengue infection data from a Brazilian city.

Main Results:

• Vector control measures, including larvicide and adulticide, were found to be more cost-effective than hospital treatment costs.
• Optimized vector control strategies demonstrated a reduction in overall expenditure compared to reactive treatment.
• The study quantified the economic trade-offs between vector control investment and disease management costs.

Conclusions:

• Integrated vector control strategies are economically advantageous for managing dengue outbreaks.
• Environmental factors significantly influence dengue transmission, necessitating adaptive control measures.
• Investing in proactive vector control reduces the long-term economic burden of dengue on public health systems.