Some 300 medical teams from all over the world has been sent across Asia to fight and prevent outbreaks of Dengue. The BBC News was told by Mumbai officials that 250 people had been rushed to various Mumbai hospitals stricken with Dengue fevers for the past several days. “They are all suffering from fever, Leptospirosis was suspected. There is no epidemic, though,” claims the source of the news. This was thwarted by the statement of a Mumbai Health officer who otherwise stated that Dengue fever was indeed a major concern in their country. Well actually isn’t it a major problem for practically everyone in the third world? 

According to the researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,
their particular study and research have shown that antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection is actually able to be suppressed by C1q, a blood-borne immune system compound.

Er, let�s put it on a more understandable context.

This epidemiological and laboratory-based ADE study is relevant in helping the control of viral disease outbreaks. Public health experts and clinicians may someday be able to design more effective aid systems such as safer and more effective vaccines.

The results of this study may also be the key to formulating a working dengue vaccine. Scientists have theorized that dengue patients become more vulnerable to another infection because of inadequate antibodies to eradicate the dengue virus when it returned. However, when researchers tried to simulate this particular phenomenon in animal models, they were unable to.

Source: Newswise

It would be quite funny to automatically check yourself after a mosquito bite for signs of dengue fever, but it does pay to know its symptoms. The signs of dengue fever may only start to show three to fifteen days after being bitten. The patient will experience chills, and headache. There would also be pain upon moving the eyes, the lower back, and joints. Temperature due to fever can rise up to 104� F (40� C). Heart rate and blood pressure becomes low. Eyes redden and a pink rash appears then disappears over the face. Lymph nodes are also swollen. If any of these signs strike, it is best to check into a hospital immediately.

Source: MedicineNet

Although the fact that the dengue virus is considered a global threat for centuries now, scientists still know little about how the virus infects cells and causes diseases. New researches have begun to shed a little light to this medical mystery such as how the virus damages cells and how the immune system in turn responds to this attack. Recently, scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), have been and are still trying various methods on developing vaccines against the deadly disease. There are researches that focus on weakened versions of the dengue virus as potential vaccine candidates not only against dengue but also against other related viruses. Other projects are trying to develop vaccines using DNA, proteins, and viral vectors. Others still focus on preventing mosquitoes from transmitting the dengue virus.

Many of these projects are certainly remarkable and promising and we hope that one day we will be able to benefit from one if not all of these worthy medical pursuits.

Source: NIH

There may be hope for dengue cure after all. Unfortunately, we all still have to wait a few more years � well, until 2012. That�s how long until the vaccine Tetravalent, manufactured by drug company Sanofi will be ready to be submitted for approval.

According to reports of the drug trial conducted in the United States, the vaccine was found to be 100% effective against all four serotypes of the virus that are responsible for the deadly dengue fever. Sanofi plans also to do clinical trials of said vaccine in Asia and Latin America. Now isn�t this good news?

Source: News Medical

I guess it is indeed true that prevention is still the best cure. Especially in the case of dengue fever, as no cure has been found for the actual disease itself. Now, the best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid contact with mosquitoes. If you are traveling to an area where there are reports of dengue fever cases, it is best to bring mosquito repellent containing DEET. Apply repellant in the morning and in the late afternoon, as dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day. You can also wear long sleeved-shirts and long pants if the weather permits it.

During the 1960s, Dengue casualties were reduced significantly with the advent of vaccines and anti-biotic along with deadly viruses such as smallpox, poliomyelitis, and acute rheumatic fever. But Dengue is more than just a seasonal disease, as opposed to the others mentioned above. It is a killer spurned by poverty, social exclusion, health systems, environments, food security, water and sanitation. To win against it, proper education is very important. To truly win against the disease, public health vigilance in terms of modern structures will be needed. This will include disease monitoring, disease prevention, communication, and financial supports are all needed.