A dengue model with a dynamic Aedes albopictus vector population

Dengue is the most commonly transmitted arthropod-borne virus in the world with 50-100 million cases annually. Within the United States, dengue is a reemerging infectious disease of concern and near the U.S.-Mexico border, up to 75% of the population of some Texas communities have had exposure to dengue. Understanding dengue disease dynamics is critical to predicting and understanding the disease. These dynamics depend upon diverse factors such as socioeconomic conditions, the local environment, and vector biology. Here, we study dengue by examining the role of temperature in driving vector dynamics. To do this, we created a Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Recovered host and Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious vector (SEIR/SEI) model. The SEIR/SEI model was then used in conjunction with an Aedes albopictus population model to create a vector-based disease model. The vector-based diseased model was then forced by temperature. Approved for public release: distribution is unlimited. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.