Dengue fever Outburst and its Relationship with Climatic Factors

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to address the effects of climatic factors (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) on Aedes aegypti mosquito density (hereinafter called mosquito density) in the Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Data for climatic factors, mosquito density and dengue fever cases for the years 2004 to 2011 were collected for the study period. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between the climatic factors and mosquito density and also between mosquito density and dengue fever cases in the city. The results show that the there is a strong correlation between mosquito density and climatic factors of temperature and relative humidity. The results also show a strong correlation between mosquito density and dengue fever cases in the city of Jeddah. The study shows a decrease in the mosquito density and thereby the dengue fever cases in Jeddah during the last couple of years. The results of the research are discussed with conclusions and recommendations. Key words: Dengue fever Mosquito density Climatic factors Jeddah Saudi Arabia