Dengue Fever :: Unique mouse joins battle against dengue fever
A mosquito-borne disease often known as ?break-bone fever? has found a new enemy in a unique type of mouse.
A mosquito-borne disease often known as ?break-bone fever? has found a new enemy in a unique type of mouse.
The United Nations health agency called on South-East Asian countries to take prompt action to prevent and contain mounting outbreaks of dengue fever, a potentially fatal flu-like viral illness spread by mosquitoes breeding in artificial containers and improperly managed garbage.
A decade ago, scientists announced the ability to introduce foreign genes into the mosquito genome. A year ago, scientists announced the successful use of an artificial gene that prevented a virus from replicating within mosquitoes.
The genes that make up the immune system of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which transmits deadly viral diseases to humans have been identified in new research out today in Science.
The reality of the threat from vector-borne diseases has been recognized and the problem is prompting research scientists to take a strong interest. Most of these infections, classified as emerging or re-emerging diseases, are linked to ecosystem changes, climatic variations or pressure from human activities.
Most people do their best to avoid mosquitoes. But this summer Rollie Clem will play the wary host to his own homegrown swarm of Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito. He’s made a room ready for them, and even a menu.
A rapid diagnostic test capable of detecting and identifying viruses such as Dengue, Yellow Fever and Japanese encephalitis (JEV) has been developed that has significantly reduced the time and discomfort involved with diagnosing an infection.
Developing new strategies to prevent and control yellow fever and dengue fever has become more possible with the completion of the first draft of the genome sequence of Aedes aegypti mosquito by scientists led by Vishvanath Nene at The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and David Severson at the University of Notre Dame.
The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection has confirmed an imported Dengue fever case involving a 76-year-old woman living in Tsing Yi, bringing this year’s total number of Dengue fever cases to eight, all imported.
Tulane general internist Jeffrey Wiese reminds us that summer heat can strike with little warning. Children, the elderly, overweight persons and people on certain medications need to take extra precautions because they are especially vulnerable to the effects of heat.