[ad_1]
According to a study published in the journal PNAS, a treatment against flea and tick bites in pets could prevent Zika virus diseases and malaria in humans
. A drug called isoxazolines, which is sold in veterinary products to protect animals against fleas and ticks, also kills disease-carrying mosquito species that feed on human blood.
"Our results suggest that isoxazolines could be effective epidemics of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and other insects in regions with limited medical infrastructure," said Peter Schultz, executive director of Calibr
Dutch scientists have determined that isoxazoline is administered to less than one-third of the population – areas prone to seasonal epidemics of insect-borne diseases This could prevent up to 97% of all case of infection
In 2016, an estimated 216 million people have contracted malaria worldwide and 445,000 have died from the disease, according to data from the centers.
Zika, meanwhile, has spread rapidly across the planet in recent years and is now found in 90 countries.
When it is admini Oral stroked to animals, Flea medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, where it stays active for up to three months.
Although it is well tolerated by dogs and cats, drugs kill fleas and ticks The blood of treated animals by damaging the nervous system of insects.
Based on existing data, the researchers estimated that a single human dose of this drug could transmit an insecticidal effect. against mosquitoes carrying Zika and malaria for 50 to 90 days.
"Isoxazolines could be administered before the onset of seasonal diseases to transmit protection until the threat diminishes at the end of the season," said Matt Tremblay. , member of the research team
The authors noted that drugs may not work as vaccines, since a person treated can still contract a disease following an insect bite.
However, an insect biting a person in this treatment would die before transmitting the disease to other individuals, an effect that, when it is multiplied in a large population, would reduce the total number of individuals. ; infections.
You may be interested in: Brazilian researchers discover a substance capable of blocking Zika's reproduction
With information from EFE
FJMM
[ad_2]
Source link
