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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDNew microbes and new infections

Dengue and Aedes aegypti expansion into high-altitude areas of Latin America: A scoping review.

  • Brenda Milena Chimbo-Paz1
  • Jaime David Acosta-España2,3,4,5
  • Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales6,7
7 affiliations
  1. 1School of Medicine, Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad Internacional Sek del Ecuador (UISEK), Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador.
  2. 2Director of Clinical Research, 3i, MMHealth, Quito, Ecuador.
  3. 3School Of Medicine, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Iquique 132, Quito, Pichincha, 170136, Ecuador.
  4. 4Clinical Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
  5. 5Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.
  6. 6Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, 15074, Peru.
  7. 7Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas-Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, 660003, Colombia.
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Abstract

The geographic distribution of Aedes aegypti and dengue virus (DENV) is expanding into high-altitude, historically non-endemic ecosystems across Latin America. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on the ecological limits, thermal thresholds, and socio-environmental drivers that govern this altitudinal expansion. Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, and Web of Science through February 2026. Evidence was extracted from 28 eligible studies evaluating vector establishment, viral circulation, and environmental predictors across elevation gradients. Synthesis confirms that Ae. aegypti has breached the historical ecological barrier of 1500 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.). Larval infestation and autochthonous viral transmission are documented above 2000 m.a.s.l., reaching established limits of 2550 m.a.s.l., with oviposition recorded up to 2900 m.a.s.l. Colonization is driven by thermal anomalies linked to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, coupled with rapid urbanization and intermittent municipal water supply. Topographies below 2500 m.a.s.l. no longer provide natural insulation against vector establishment. Public health frameworks must transition toward predictive microclimatic vector surveillance in mountain communities.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{chimbopaz2026dengue,
  title = {{Dengue and Aedes aegypti expansion into high-altitude areas of Latin America: A scoping review.}},
  author = {Brenda Milena Chimbo-Paz and Jaime David Acosta-España and Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales},
  journal = {New microbes and new infections},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1016/j.nmni.2026.101873},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999383},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Dengue and Aedes aegypti expansion into high-altitude areas of Latin America: A scoping review.
AU  - Brenda Milena Chimbo-Paz
AU  - Jaime David Acosta-España
AU  - Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/23
JO  - New microbes and new infections
DO  - 10.1016/j.nmni.2026.101873
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999383
AB  - The geographic distribution of Aedes aegypti and dengue virus (DENV) is expanding into high-altitude, historically non-endemic ecosystems across Latin America. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on the ecological limits, thermal thresholds, and socio-environmental drivers that govern this altitudinal expansion. Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, and Web of Science through February 2026. Evidence was extracted from 28 eligible studies evaluating vector establishment, viral circulation, and environmental predictors across elevation gradients. Synthesis confirms that Ae. aegypti has breached the historical ecological barrier of 1500 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.). Larval infestation and autochthonous viral transmission are documented above 2000 m.a.s.l., reaching established limits of 2550 m.a.s.l., with oviposition recorded up to 2900 m.a.s.l. Colonization is driven by thermal anomalies linked to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, coupled with rapid urbanization and intermittent municipal water supply. Topographies below 2500 m.a.s.l. no longer provide natural insulation against vector establishment. Public health frameworks must transition toward predictive microclimatic vector surveillance in mountain communities.
SN  - 2052-2975
ER  -