Virus Niche Analysis for Dengue Fever and Zika within the Río Magdalena Watershed

Research was conducted to identify location specific attributes of Dengue Fever and Zika virus transmissions in Colombia. Environmental variables derived from the MOderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites were combined with population variables for statistical comparison against reported cases of Dengue Fever in the Río Magdalena watershed. Statistical modeling methods, including principal component analysis and Boosted Regression Trees, were used for data reduction techniques and to model vector habits. Results identified varying levels of transmission risk were impacted by varying environmental characteristics which support, and advance, the research literature. Multiple temperature metrics, elevation, and vegetation composition were among the more contributory variables found to identify outbreak locations within the study site.