Are there any potential solutions to the dengue problem?

The fight against dengue occurs on two levels. There is the quest to find drugs that cure the disease, and there are efforts to stop the proliferation of the disease through mosquitoes by improving conditions in less wealthy, urban areas.

                                                Pakistanic (Date Accessed February 22, 2013) http://pakistanic.com/dengue-fever-hits-punjab/

There have been strong, recent developments regarding medicines that may cure dengue. Over the past two years, many scientists in Singapore have been researching potential cures for Dengue Fever. Previously, no effective vaccines have been developed to combat the disease. However, scientists from the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, and the Defense Medical & Environmental Research Institute have collaborated in the discovery of what is believed to be a potential cure for Dengue Fever. Upon contracting the Dengue virus, the human body naturally produces a powerful antibody that in a span of just two hours can stifle and kill the virus. The team of scientists spent two years extracting cells from patients at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital who had miraculously recovered from Dengue Fever. The team was then able to identify the naturally produced antibody which attaches itself to the Dengue virus and restrains it from attacking other cells. Principal investigator Paul Macary explained that while highly effective in larger amounts, “the scale of the response is too small for it to have an impact on the infection.” This means that even though it is naturally produced, the antibody needs to be injected in high concentrations for it to effectively combat Dengue. Although using this new antibody as a cure for Dengue is still in the works, it is a major development in the search for a solution that has otherwise been “stagnant for many years.” (Hui 2012).

                                                Pakistanic (Date Accessed: February 23, 2013) http://pakistanic.com/dengue-fever-hits-punjab/

In terms of hindering dengue’s proliferation, Mosquito control is critical. Selective, integrated mosquito control directed towards geographical areas where people run the highest transmission of dengue could greatly reduce the prominence of mosquitoes in areas where it matters most, thus reducing the likelihood of infection (Parks and Lloyd,2004).

The most straightforward method of preventing the spread of Dengue-carrying mosquitoes is to eliminate possible breeding grounds altogether. This includes potential water containers such as gutters, bird baths, flower pots, or even unused tires. However, while this might be the most effective method, it is not entirely realistic. Mosquito control can be achieved at a higher rate when using the fogging method or spraying pesticides. The downside to this is that these chemicals can have harmful effects on the surrounding environment. Another method of mosquito control is the use of Mesocyclops. These crustaceans thrive in large water containers and can help prevent the breeding of Dengue-carrying mosquitoes in such containers. Although this method is more environmentally-friendly than pesticides, it is less effective and substantially more costly. It demands a completely dedicated community if results are to be truly achieved. (2013)

Education is also a critical means of helping hinder Dengue’s proliferation. There are cheap, effective ways that people who run risk of infection can protect themselves from dengue; they only need to be informed of their importance. For instance, simply protecting one’s water containers can hinder the breading of mosquitoes (Parks and Lloyd 2004).

Hui, P.C.H. (2012) Discovery Raises Hopes of Cure for Dengue Fever. The Jakarta Post. (Accessed February 21, 2013.) thejakartapost.com

(2013) Dengue Prevention by Mosquito Control. Dengue Virus Net. (Accessed March 18, 2013) http://www.denguevirusnet.com/mosquito-control.html

Parks and Lloyd, WP and LL. (2004) Planning Social Mobilization and Communication for Dengue Fever Prevention and Control. World Health Organization. World Health Organization. (Accessed February 13, 2013)http://www.who.int/tdr/publications/documents/planning_dengue.pdf