The benefits and challenges of scaling up dengue surveillance in Saudi Arabia from a GIS perspective

Abstract

The most common mosquito-borne virus in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is the dengue virus and is predominantly transmitted by 'Aedes aegypti' mosquitoes. This study was aimed to assess the status of dengue surveillance in Jeddah, develop recommendations to improve surveillance data quality, investigate prospective uses of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to monitor dengue incidence, vector prevalence and patterns, and introducing ways for improving the current dengue surveillance system in Jeddah. Continuance of the current system is recommended, but its effectiveness can be improved by increasing its accuracy and collection and use of data.