Key
measures to prevent and control dengue
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In this season, PICTs in the south of the
region are going back to warmer temperatures, which favour
mosquito breeding and therefore increase the potential for
transmission of dengue viruses. The potential for
transmission of other vector-borne viruses, such as Zika,
Ross River and chikungunya (the latter not reported yet in
the Pacific Island region), will also increase.
A reminder that two public health
measures are key to proper dengue control and prevention: |
Photo: Anne
Pfannstiel, New Caledonia |
1.
The main prevention
activity is to get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites. Community
awareness and involvement are essential for dengue vector control,
especially as the usual main vector for dengue, Aedes aegypti, is
domestic, i.e. found in and around households. Potential mosquito
breeding sites are any containers (artificial or natural) – even very
small ones – containing stagnant water, outside or inside the household.
Potential mosquito
breeding sites should be destroyed OR be emptied of water and dried OR
be well rinsed at least once a week to get rid of mosquito larvae (it
usually takes about a week for an egg to become an adult mosquito in
warmer temperatures).
2.
Early detection of suspected cases, with immediate perifocal vector
control measures, is critical in order to avoid an extensive outbreak.
Based on a message
posted on PacNet on 5 October 2007 by Dr
Tom Kiedrzynski, Epidemiologist, SPC
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