Aedes aegypti and society: the economic burden of arboviruses in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: Arboviruses are a cause of concern for public health, with negative clinical and economic impacts. The objective of this study was to evaluate costs of vector control, direct medical costs and indirect costs associated with classical dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, chikungunya and Zika virus infection in Brazil for the year 2016. Methods: The analyzes quantified costs related to vector control, such as federal resource transfers and acquisition of pesticides, direct medical costs related to diseases treatment through outpatient and hospital management, and indirect costs related to absenteeism, calculated from published studies or estimates of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: The investment for vector combat was R$ 1.5 billion in Brazil and the cost reported by federal government for the acquisition of insecticides and larvicides was R$ 78.6 million. Direct medical costs generated total expenses of R$ 374 million. Fever chikungunya presented the highest number of DALYs lost per episode of disease (0.036 DALYs), followed by Zika virus infection (0.005 DALYs). Total indirect cost was estimated at R$ 431 million. Total costs with the management of arboviroses reached an impact of R$ 2.3 billion in Brazil for 2016. Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro presented the highest costs. Conclusions: Arboviroses generate considerable economic and social impact to Brazil. Vector combat costs, direct medical costs and indirect costs account for about 2% of the health budget expected for the country in 2016.