Kolkata, Nov 15 (UNI) The rapid spread of dengue and continued dengue outbreak
of epidemic potential since the beginning of 2019 show that sustained prevention
and control measures should be supported by robust surveillance.
The Global Burden of Disease study reported that dengue is increasing at a higher
rate than any other communicable disease, with a 400 per cent increase in just 13
years (2000–2013).
“Dengue continues to be neglected, with a lack of resources at country level and
declining research funds in recent years”, said Dr Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela, Director,
WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
“We need to turn the tide and refocus efforts on building country capacity and
working across sectors using locally adapted interventions to implement sustainable
dengue prevention and control,” Dr Malecela said.
While countries including Bangladesh, Brazil, the Philippines and others in Africa
and Latin America are confronting major outbreaks, other countries in South-East Asia
and in many tropical islands have recorded increasing numbers of cases.
Climate change is considered to have amplified the distribution of Aedes aegypti, the
vector responsible for transmitting dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, zika virus and
other arboviral diseases.
Other factors including rapid unplanned urbanization, increased humidity, devolved
vector control services and movement of people and goods have also facilitated the
spread of the disease.
“With extended rainy seasons and variations in climatic conditions, dengue is spreading
to more temperate countries,” said Dr Raman Velayudhan, head of WHO’s Vector and
Ecology Management unit.
“Locally adapted vector control measures such as household water storage management
and, more importantly, engaging individuals and communities to manage their immediate environment are essential to controlling the spread of the disease,” Dr Velayudhan said.
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