What is the effect of dengue on poor urban areas?

Those living in poor urban areas have no means by which they can protect themselves from Dengue fever. Almost 137 million people in urban environments have no access to safe drinking water, while 600 million have access to no proper sanitation. In the Nigerian city of Ibadan only 3% of the people have access to piped water (Alirol, 2011). In poorer third world countries the access to clean water is difficult. With limited access to clean water, the risk of contracting dengue is overlooked in order to stay hydrated. People first and foremost need water, and when they have no other options, they are often left to use resources exposing them to Dengue. Often times, financial restrictions drive these issues. There are social factors that can affect an individual’s exposure and vulnerability to a disease in urban environments. Race, education, place of residence, socioeconomic status, and gender can all affect the possibility of becoming infected (Kjellstrom et al. 2007). Many people move to urban environments in search of jobs, so cities attract many different demographics. When people move from rural regions to urban environments they often have a lower standard of living. “Clean and sufficient drinking water, proper sanitation and drains for waste water, and proper solid waste management are the key health equity interventions in deprived urban areas, and cost-effective solutions exist” (Kjellstrom et al. 2007).  So, people who can’t afford to power their refrigerators or obtain proper sanitation and drains for water or clean sufficient drinking water are more bound to get dengue fever because of the static water that attracts mosquito populations. Poorer conditions create a higher risk of exposure to dengue fever.

    TopNews  (Date Accessed: February 22, 2013) http://topnews.ae/content/24179-philippines-death-toll-dengue-reaches-534

PLOS (2011) Population Density, Water Supply, and the Risk of Dengue Fever in Vietnam: Cohort Study and Spatial Analysis. (Date Accessed: February 21, 2013). http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1001082

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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

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How have governments and organizations responded to dengue?

As there is no specific drug to treat dengue, prevention is the only measure to take against the virus, and it is the means by which governments and organizations have gone about attacking it.(Nation 2012).  The World Health Organization has guidelines for governments and hospitals to follow in order to prevent the spread of the virus (WHO 2013a).  The methods suggested are aimed at reducing human support of mosquito populations, and preventing mosquitoes from coming into contact with humans (WHO 2013a). Singapore, a country with a history of dengue infections, has followed the guidelines with a great degree of success (WHO 2008b).

Dragon Fly Mosquito Control, (Accessed February 22, 2013) http://www.dragonflymosquitocontrol.com/Barrier_Spraying_for_%20Mosquitos.html

WHO World Health Organization (2008b) Reconstructing historical changes in the force of infection of dengue fever in Singapore: implications for surveillance and control. World Health Organization. (Date Accessed: January 10, 2013).www.who.int/bulletin/volumes86/3/07-040170/en/index.htm

WHO World Health Organization. (2013a) Control Strategies. World Health Organization.  (Date Accessed: February 10, 2013.) www.who.int/denguecontrol/control_strategies/en/ 

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Related Links and Charities

             

Charities:

Philippine Charities offers the ability to donate to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development which is currently seeking a cure to the dengue virus.  Donations can be as little as a dollar because "they firmly believe that every dollar counts."  (Philippine Charities 2013.) Click here to donate money.

SOS Children's Villages International is a non-political, non-denominational organization represented in more than 130 countries. During its 60 years of operation, Children's Villages has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 14 times. Click here to donate money. 

For Further Information: 

Sankalp India Foundation is an organization in India that that promotes blood donations.  The website answers common questions about blood donations, platelets, and the potential beneficial effects on dengue patients with a decreasing platelet count.  India has a very high population density, leaving its citizens vulnerable to dengue outbreaks.  Sankalp India Foundation is attempting to lessen the risk by promoting safer habits, and blood donations. Click here to visit this website.

William Parks and Linda Lloyd from the world health organization here provide a strong context and description of dengue fever and offer innovative and specific solutions to the problem. These range from "social mobilization" to mosquitto control systems, to current vaccines. 

    Peteryong Photography (Date Accessed: March 18, 2013) http://peteryongphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/dengue-cases-in-miri.html 

For more information on how to prevent mosquito infestation, please click here this infinitely useful webpage from the CDC. 

Click here to learn about the negative affects Dengue Fever has had on the population of those who are affected by it. The Water Project specifically discusses Dengue Fever, Malaria, and Cholera, and how each of these diseases are linked to water. Dengue for instance, comes from mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water.

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