Region-wide synchrony and traveling waves of dengue across eight countries in Southeast Asia
van Panhuis WG., Choisy M., Xiong X., Chok NS., Akarasewi P., Iamsirithaworn S., Lam SK., Chong CK., Lam FC., Phommasak B., Vongphrachanh P., Bouaphanh K., Rekol H., Hien NT., Thai PQ., Duong TN., Chuang J-H., Liu Y-L., Ng L-C., Shi Y., Tayag EA., Roque VG., Lee Suy LL., Jarman RG., Gibbons RV., Velasco JMS., Yoon I-K., Burke DS., Cummings DAT.
Significance Persons living in the tropics and subtropics are at risk for dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever, and large epidemics occur unexpectedly that can overburden healthcare systems. The spatial and temporal dynamics of dengue transmission are poorly understood, limiting disease control efforts. We compiled a large-scale dataset and analyzed continental-scale patterns of dengue in Southeast Asia. Our analysis shows that periods of elevated temperatures can drive the occurrence of synchronous dengue epidemics across the region. This multicountry collaborative study improved insight that may lead to improved prediction of dengue transmission patterns and more effective disease surveillance and control efforts.