Impact of Climate Change on Dengue Incidence: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Southeast Asia

The issue of climate change has been recognized as a significant global concern, with the potential to have a profound impact on public health outcomes worldwide. Southeast Asia is a region highly susceptible to an increase in dengue incidence, which is influenced by climatic factors such as rainfall and temperature. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between climate change and the incidence of dengue in Southeast Asia. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, searched the Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Emerald databases using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria were observational studies from peer-reviewed journals published between 2004 and 2024 that reported dengue incidence and quantitative associations with climate exposures. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria after a screening process. The analysis revealed an association of the incidence of dengue with temperature and rainfall. The majority of studies have reported that rising temperatures are associated with an increase in dengue cases. The majority of studies have identified a positive association with the incidence of dengue and rainfall. Findings for humidity were more complex, with some studies showing a negative correlation and others a positive correlation. Results for wind speed were also inconsistent across studies. This review highlights the significant association between climatic factors, particularly temperature and rainfall, of dengue transmission in Southeast Asia. Rising temperatures and increased rainfall are strongly associated with higher dengue incidence, likely by creating favorable conditions for mosquito breeding and virus transmission. The results underscore the need to incorporate climate data into dengue early warning systems and vector control strategies in dengue-endemic regions.