Mapping of dengue vulnerability in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam using a water-associated disease index and remote sensing approach

Abstract

For the last two decades, dengue fever has continuously been a disease burden in Viet Nam, particularly in the Mekong River Delta (MRD) region, which is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. This study focuses on mapping vulnerability to dengue over the MRD region of Viet Nam by applying the Water-Associated Disease Index approach developed by Dickin, Schuster-Wallace and Elliott (2013) and using geospatial data. The data includes annual land cover and monthly temperature extracted from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and monthly precipitation from GSMaP (Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation). The maps, produced for the period 2001-2016, helped in analyzing temporal and spatial patterns of vulnerability to dengue in the region. The results show clear seasonal variation in vulnerability over the whole region following the variability in the climate factor. Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the association between dengue rates and vulnerability aggregated at the provincial level. Significant linear associations, with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.5, were found in half of the provinces mapped. Mapping vulnerability to dengue using geospatial technology seems to be an effective means for supporting public health authorities in disease control and intervention not only for the MRD region but also for the whole country of Viet Nam.