Pet Medications Can Prevent Zika and Malaria



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According to a study published yesterday in the journal PNAS a remedy for flea and tick bites in domestic animals can prevent Zika virus diseases and malaria in humans. Calibr in the Netherlands discovered that a class of drugs called isoxazolines, which are sold in veterinary products, also kill disease-carrying mosquito species that feed on human blood.

"Our results suggest that isoxazolines may be effective in controlling humans, epidemics of insect-borne diseases in areas with limited medical infrastructure," said Peter Schultz, executive director of Calibr [19659003] Scientists have determined that this antiparasite is administered to less than one-third of the population.These diseases could prevent up to 97% of all cases of infection. [19659002] In 2016 Approximately 216 million people have contracted malaria worldwide and 445,000 have died from the disease, according to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control.

Zika, on the other hand has been spread rapidly all over the planet in recent years and is now in 90 countries.

When administered orally to animals, flea medications are absorbed s the blood and spread all over the world. the body, where it stays active until three months.

Although it is well tolerated by dogs and cats, these drugs that kill fleas and ticks that feed on the blood of treated animals can damage the nervous system of animals.

On the basis of existing data, the researchers estimated that a single human dose of this drug could have an insecticidal effect against mosquitoes carrying Zika and malaria for a period of between 50 and 90 days [1] ]. 9659002] "Isoxazolines could be administered before the onset of seasonal disease outbreaks to transmit protection until the threat diminishes at the end of the season," said Matt Tremblay, a member of the team. of research

. that drugs do not work as vaccines, since a person being treated can still catch a disease through an insect bite.

However, an insect biting an individual who is in this treatment would die before transmitting the disease to others, an effect that, when it is multiplied in a large population, would greatly reduce the total number d & # 39; infections.

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