General features and epidemiology of emerging arboviruses in Brazil

Abstract

Arboviruses (Arthropod-borne viruses) are so called because part of their replication cycle occurs in insects and can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the bite of hematophagous arthropods. More than 545 species are known species of arboviruses and about 150 cause disease in humans. The arboviruses have represented one of the biggest challenges to public health because of climate and environmental changes and deforestation that increases the viral transmission besides the transposition of species barrier. It was discussed about the general features, pathogenesis and epidemiology of arboviruses and recurrent infections that have appeared or reappeared in Brazil in recent decades. Because of their potential threat to human health in Brazil, the arboviruses mentioned in this article deserve special attention concerning the establishment/consolidation of compulsory control programs and effective combat of diseases in humans and domestic animals.