According to the English number one university, Oxford, about 20 million people are expected to die of Dengue annually worldwide. But fear not for they have introduced a new technique to fight the disease, it is called Oxitec Ltd, and it is one of the 39, selected from a field of 273, that has been named as Technology Pioneer 2008 by the World Economic Forum. It uses genetics and molecular biology which make male mosquitoes sterile thus making them unable to reproduce. “This prize is an external validation of our technology and our business plan,” Dr. Luke Alphey, the developer of the technology told the BBC.

Scientists, with the help of local children in Vietnam have found an alternative way to fight off dengue-carrying mosquitoes. They found out that there are certain types of water bugs that destroy said mosquitoes. They have been placing these bugs in nine areas of north and central Vietnam and they have observed that cases of dengue fever in said areas have been reduced to zero over a five year period. One of the scientists in this research, Professor Brian Kay, from the Queensland Institute of Research, said that this scheme is being extended to 37 other areas of Vietnam but wished to see it used on a global scale.

Source: BBC News

by Andrea Mella

There is slight information in available reports concerning the penalties of dengue illness for pregnant women. No persuasive confirmation representing an association between dengue contamination during pregnancy and hereditary malformations has been accounted. Nevertheless, if the mother is unwell with dengue at the moment of delivery, the child can be inborn with dengue disease or can obtain dengue throughout the delivery practice itself, and then increase the demonstration of dengue fever or DHF. Passive transplacental transmit of maternal anti-dengue antibodies get hold of from a prior maternal virus can also put infants at larger risk of DHF with their initial dengue infection, but these maternal antibodies are unoccupied by 9-12 months of age.   

by Andrea Mella

The chief mosquito vector, Ae. aegypti, is most commonly found in or next to human habitations and favors to nourish on humans during the daylight. It has two crest stages of biting movement: in the break of day for a number of hours later than daybreak and in the late hours of daylight for several hours previous to dark. Even so, the mosquito may provide for at any time during daytime, in particular indoors, in shaded areas, or when it is gloomy. Mosquito propagation sites contain non-natural water containers such as unnecessary tires, exposed water storeroom barrels, buckets, flower vases or pots, cans, and cisterns.

by Andrea Mella

Since thrombocytopenia and haemoconcentration are indispensable analytical criteria for the verification of cases of DHF/DSS, it is incredibly significant that hospital laboratories are properly prepared to carry out sequential haematocrits and platelet counts, both at slightest daily. It should be respected that when all of the selected medical measures, as well as these two, are not confirmed, suspected cases of DHF/DSS cannot be classified as long-established. It is tremendously significant that relevant information on the epidemiology of dengue fever; the clinical analysis and management of all forms of the disease; and suitable vector control events be conversed to all the pertinent stakeholders in proportion, non-alarming messages which will help public health action, produce neighborhood contribution, etc

by Andrea Mella

Nationwide preparedness must be the slogan of all stakeholders as the not on time initiation of crisis control measures in the face of an eruption do not considerably lessen morbidity and may consequence in mortality that was preventable. An assessment of obtainable resources  for vector-control, most favorable patient care and management, epidemiologic and entomologic surveillance, etc., in addition to their organisation and sustainability must be assumed and identify the needs suitably addressed. The high incidence of international and regional tour related to tourism, labour, commerce and other actions adds to the possibility of importation and overture of dengue virus type 3 into our regions. Accessible high Aedes aegypti indices will improve the possible for virus diffusion in our populations.  

 

by Andrea Mella

There is no detailed or specific action for dengue fever, but close medical awareness and clinical management revives the lives of many patients. At the present time, the only technique of controlling dengue and DHF is to battle the vector mosquito all the way through chemical control and environmental management. Community-based cleaning operations remove tyres, bottles, cans and other objects that catch and keep hold of water, get free of possible breeding sites for vector mosquitoes. Larval surroundings are too treated with insecticide. Insecticidal space sprays, by means of vehicle-mounted or moveable machines, are used in many programmes for urgent situations and to  control the growth of adult mosquitoes.

 by Andrea Mella    3)      Brisk growth of cities in tropical countries has directed to congestion, urban decay, and substandard sanitation, permitting more mosquitoes to live nearer to more people.     4)      The amplification in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and redundant tires is generating new breeding sites for mosquitoes.      5)      Augmented jet air travel is serving people dirty with dengue viruses to move easily from city to city.      6)      Dengue hemorrhagic fever is as well on the upsurge. Persons who have been contaminated with one or more variety of dengue virus are at larger risk for the more harsh disease. With the rise in all types of virus, the rate of dengue hemorrhagic fever becomes more expected. 

by Andrea Mella   

All types of dengue disease are re-emerging globally and producing larger and more recurrent outbreaks, in particular in cities in the tropics. The surfacing of dengue as a main public health crisis has been most staged in the western hemisphere. Dengue fever has arrived at rampant levels in Central America and is frightening the United States. There are quite a lot of issues that are contributing to the renaissance of dengue fever:

  1)      No valuable mosquito control efforts are happening in most countries with dengue.     2)      Public health structures to identify and be in charge of epidemics are worsening around the world.  

by Andrea Mella

Vector-borne illnesses are those multiply by mosquitoes, sand-flies, ticks and rodents. They comprise diseases such as dengue, West Nile and chikungunya fever, nephropathia epidemica and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), in which all have the probable to affect epidemic in parts of Europe. The outbreak of chikungunya fever in the region of Ravenna, Italy, last summer is a picture of this danger. The initial conclusions of the risk evaluation were presented and the  last report on the assessment will be available in the upcoming months. The type of weather and environmental transformation being forecast by experts will adjust the risk to Europe from vector borne diseases.