NASA Leverages Earth Observation Data to Enhance Dengue Preparedness in Puerto Rico
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, remains a significant public health challenge in Puerto Rico and is increasingly becoming a concern in parts of the mainland United States, including Florida and Texas. Recognizing the growing threat, NASA is collaborating with researchers to improve forecasting capabilities and enhance preparedness efforts.
The Dengue Threat in Puerto Rico and Beyond
In 2024, Puerto Rico experienced a major dengue outbreak, reporting over 9,500 cases, with more than half requiring hospitalization. Locally acquired cases were also detected in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Florida, and Texas [1]. Dengue causes an acute febrile illness that can progress to severe disease or even death [2]. The last major outbreak declared by the Puerto Rico Department of Health occurred in 2013 [2] and [4].
Understanding Dengue Transmission
Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors for the dengue virus, thrive in warm, humid environments and breed in standing water [1] and [3]. Effective dengue outbreak forecasting relies on understanding the interplay between environmental factors – including rainfall, temperature, and the extent of standing water – and mosquito habitats [1].
NASA’s Role in Improved Forecasting
Traditional forecasting methods often struggle to accurately predict these conditions weeks or months in advance, hindering proactive public health preparations. To address this challenge, a NASA-supported research team, led by Paul Block of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is utilizing data from several NASA tools and missions [1]. These include:
- Goddard Earth Observing System-S2S: Provides subseasonal to seasonal predictions.
- IMERG (Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM): Offers high-resolution precipitation data.
- GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment): Measures changes in Earth’s gravity field, providing insights into water storage.
- VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite): Provides data on vegetation, land surface temperature, and other environmental factors.
The researchers aim to develop an initial forecasting system this spring to predict dengue risk across Puerto Rico by analyzing these environmental conditions [1].
Public Health Recommendations
To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, residents of and visitors to Puerto Rico are advised to use repellents, wear protective clothing, and ensure that accommodations have screens on doors and windows [2].