Dengue epidemics highlight weaknesses in regional health networks

The monsoon rains and the lack of adequate precautions lead to an outbreak of dengue fever transmitted by mosquitoes. Governments and international organizations should recalibrate their efforts to mitigate future epidemics.

By Zachary Frye

Dengue, a disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, is diffusion
in Southeast Asia. Regional
governments declare national emergencies but have trouble containing
disease.

The epidemic highlights the weaknesses of regional health networks.
Although dengue fever is common in the region, health organizations and governments
the agencies have been unable to prevent an epidemic.

In the future, it is essential that the actors involved coordinate
precautionary measures. Only a prevention strategy will mitigate the
the severity of future outbreaks.

Dengue fever is
treatable, but it can also be fatal

According to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, more than 44,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the country since 1 January 2019, nearly double the number of cases recorded at the same time last year. 62 people died.

Similar spikes can be found in the rest of Southeast Asia.
Singapore has been multiplied by five. The number of cases in Laos has increased from 6,400 in 2018 to more than 14,000 this year. The Philippines are
treat with an 85% increase in its dengue case volume. Almost
100,000 people have been diagnosed since January.

Although most people can fight the virus in a week, about
1 in 100 people die, even after early treatment.

About half of those infected with dengue do not have symptoms.
The other half has various symptoms, including high fever and severe joint and muscle pain.

In rare cases, it can cause dengue, a hemorrhagic fever, causing
severe bleeding and dehydration.

Humans can not transmit the virus, but they can spread the disease
other mosquitoes, which makes it harder to contain. There is no cure from
but the researchers are working on a vaccine.

What is behind
the recent peak?

The cycles of dengue epidemics usually occur after changes in
the viral strain leads to reduced immunity among the affected populations.

Medical experts, however, are not in a position to give a definitive answer to the cause of this year's epidemic.

Dr. Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia-Pacific Microbiology and Infection Society, says it is unclear whether the current peak is due to a different sub strain of the virus or simply to the increase in the number of breeding sites.

Others, like Dr. Ooi Eng Ong of the Duke-NUS School of Medicine, rule out the growth of mosquito populations. Dr. Ooi says the virus itself could have mutated, which is different from a sub-strain change.

"Such mutations have contributed to outbreaks in different parts of the world and could be the cause of the current increase in the number of dengue cases," he added.

Governments and
health organizations are trying to catch up

Medical experts can not reach consensus on the cause of escalation, governments are forced to try to mitigate the risk factors of its population without clearly understanding what lies behind the outbreaks.

Regional governments urge their citizens to eliminate stagnant water sources, eliminate
waste properly and keep their homes and living environments clean and dry.

Governments issue public warnings and epidemic warnings, including lists of symptoms and methods of transmission, urging
suspected patients to consult a doctor.

Although these efforts are important, cases will continue to increase unless a more comprehensive response can be implemented.

Prevention
strategies will be crucial to go from the front

To prevent the scourge of dengue, the most useful
development would be the dissemination of a vaccine. There are currently five
the dengue vaccine
candidates in clinical development,
and two of them are in the last test phase.

Although governments can not afford to provide security and
the effectiveness of a vaccine by legislation they can provide the right
environment conducive to innovation.

To do this, medical research must be prioritized in
national budgets. Coordination between governments and health services
suppliers will also be essential, both internationally and domestically.

Coordinated efforts to spray international cargo holdings, for example
example, would also help to reduce cross-border transmission. Sharing knowledge between
Regional health officials would also encourage prevention and control of the disease.
management techniques.

In the short term, governments should follow Singapore's example
by creating a The dengue
Intervention force. Trained teams can help
decontaminate public places and identify reinforcement and control mechanisms.

In the region, mosquito populations will increase during the monsoon season
season. Stronger detection of early cases can help manage potential outbreaks and keep the public informed
on the places hardest hit.

There is no doubt that dengue fever is a unique challenge for
regional governments. It takes time to properly diagnose the root cause of a
epidemic, and the virus will not wait for the scientific consensus or the
creating a vaccine.

Transmission and mutation will continue until sustainable medical treatment.
solution can be found. In the meantime, it belongs to governments and the public
health organizations to set the stage for a prevention-based response,
no fragmentary confinement attempts.

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