ARBOVIROSES IN BRAZIL: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PATTERNS, PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

Abstract

Arboviruses pose a recurring public health challenge in Brazil, driven by the widespread circulation of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya and the occurrence of overlapping epidemics in different regions. The 2015–2016 Zika outbreak revealed unprecedented repercussions, such as microcephaly and other congenital malformations, expanding our understanding of the impact of arboviruses beyond the self-limited febrile condition. Recent evidence also points to the phenomenon of viral replacement, in which Zika's circulation was progressively displaced by Chikungunya, as well as to the latter's spatiotemporal expansion in previously underaffected regions. Population studies confirm high seroprevalence rates and cumulative exposure in the Brazilian population, while global analyses indicate that the disease burden remains underestimated, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The emergence of Monkeypox, although not an arbovirus, has reinforced already recognized challenges such as social stigmatization, health communication gaps, and structural vulnerabilities. The objective of this narrative review was to analyze evidence published between 2017 and 2025 on the epidemiology of arboviruses in Brazil, highlighting transmission dynamics, social repercussions, and gaps in response. It concludes that effective control requires multisectoral strategies, with adaptive surveillance, strengthened primary care, effective health communication, and structural policies capable of reducing population vulnerability.