RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Detecting the impact of temperature on transmission of Zika, dengue and chikungunya using mechanistic models JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 063735 DO 10.1101/063735 A1 Erin A. Mordecai A1 Jeremy M. Cohen A1 Michelle V. Evans A1 Prithvi Gudapati A1 Leah R. Johnson A1 Catherine A. Lippi A1 Kerri Miazgowicz A1 Courtney C. Murdock A1 Jason R. Rohr A1 Sadie J. Ryan A1 Van Savage A1 Marta S. Shocket A1 Anna Stewart Ibarra A1 Matthew B. Thomas A1 Daniel P. Weikel YR 2017 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/04/14/063735.abstract AB Recent epidemics of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya have heightened the need to understand the seasonal and geographic range of transmission by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. We use mechanistic transmission models to derive predictions for how the probability and magnitude of transmission for Zika, chikungunya, and dengue change with mean temperature, and we show that these predictions are well matched by human case data. Across all three viruses, models and human case data both show that transmission occurs between 18-34°C with maximal transmission occurring in a range from 26-29°C. Controlling for population size and two socioeconomic factors, temperature-dependent transmission based on our mechanistic model is an important predictor of human transmission occurrence and incidence. Risk maps indicate that tropical and subtropical regions are suitable for extended seasonal or year-round transmission, but transmission in temperate areas is limited to at most three months per year even if vectors are present. Such brief transmission windows limit the likelihood of major epidemics following disease introduction in temperate zones.Author Summary Understanding the drivers of recent Zika, dengue, and chikungunya epidemics is a major public health priority. Temperature may play an important role because it affects mosquito transmission, affecting mosquito development, survival, reproduction, and biting rates as well as the rate at which they acquire and transmit viruses. Here, we measure the impact of temperature on transmission by two of the most common mosquito vector species for these viruses, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. We integrate data from several laboratory experiments into a mathematical model of temperature-dependent transmission, and find that transmission peaks at 26-29°C and can occur between 18-34°C. Statistically comparing model predictions with recent observed human cases of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika across the Americas suggests an important role for temperature, and supports model predictions. Using the model, we predict that most of the tropics and subtropics are suitable for transmission in many or all months of the year, but that temperate areas like most of the United States are only suitable for transmission for a few months during the summer (even if the mosquito vector is present).