What Are the Latest Preventive Measures for Dengue?

Dengue poses a significant threat to public health that affects millions of adults and children each year¹. 

As such, the urgency of having integrated dengue control has become a top priority in hopes of reducing the number of severe dengue infections². 

Integrated dengue control employs more than one preventive method against dengue. Integrated control may look like enhancing community disease awareness whilst conducting area cleaning and mosquito suppression campaigns, much like the operation conducted by Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Ministry of Health.³

In this article, you will learn about dengue, dengue protection, and the latest preventive measures.

Protecting Yourself Against Dengue

There are many ways to protect yourself from dengue, including:⁴

• Preventing the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes by throwing away stagnant water.
• Using mosquito repellents
• Installing mosquito nets on windows
• Implementing a routine fogging schedule

Considering all the methods mentioned above, an integrated approach to dengue management could offer more sustainable solutions.⁵ 

What is an Integrated Approach to Management of Dengue?

An integrated approach to managing dengue, as outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Dengue Prevention and Control, involves using a combination of different strategies to tackle the disease effectively. This includes: ⁶

1. Evidence-based decision-making: Using scientific research to guide actions, like removing stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding.
   
   
2. Advocacy, mobilisation, and legislation: Raising awareness, organising clean-up drives, and pushing for laws to prevent dengue.
   
   
3. Collaboration across sectors: Working with government, healthcare, schools, and communities to fight dengue together.
   
   
4. Capacity building: Training individuals to recognise symptoms, use repellents, and eliminate breeding sites, empowering communities to take action. Everyone can play a part in staying informed and protecting themselves.

Integrated Dengue Management In Malaysia

Since 2011, Malaysia's Integrated Management Strategy has been at the forefront of dengue prevention and control efforts⁷. 

Let's take a closer look at the various components of Malaysia's integrated management strategy.

1. House Inspection: Regular inspections to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites in premises.
2. Larvicidal and Adulticidal Treatment: Use of larvicides and fogging with insecticides to reduce mosquito populations.
3. Health Public Education and Publicity: Conducting campaigns to raise awareness and encourage public participation in dengue prevention.

Malaysia has made considerable strides toward dengue management by enforcing the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insect Act (DDBIA). Annually, authorities issued more than 13 thousand warning notices and 22,660 compounds to offenders who harboured Aedes larvae in their facilities.⁸ 

Innovative Strategies

Innovative approaches to dengue prevention also involve exploring vaccines and other interventions to control the spread of dengue fever. ⁹¹⁰¹¹

In Summary

WHO recommends an integrated approach to manage dengue. This includes a comprehensive set of interventions including vector control, public education, personal protection, disease tracking, and a safe and effective vaccine.⁶

While minor symptoms can be managed at home, severe cases often require hospital treatment. Seeking medical advice early is crucial if dengue is suspected.

Everyone is potentially at risk of dengue, no matter who or where they are. 

Protect yourself and your loved ones by taking the necessary precautions to prevent dengue. 

Speak with your doctor right away to find out more about how you can become a dengue fighter too.

References

1. World Health Organization. (2011). Comprehensive Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. Retrieved November 24,2022, from World Health Organization: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/909932/retrieve
2. Sandra Bos, G. G. (2018). Dengue: A Growing Threat Requiring Vaccine Development For Disease Prevention. Pathogens and Global Health, 294–305. doi:10.1080/20477724.2018.1514136 Retrieved November 24,2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6381545/#:~:text=An%20efficient%20prophylactic%20vaccine%20strategy%20is%20urgently%20needed%20to%20tackle%20dengue%20infections%20worldwide
3. “Malaysia: Dengue prevention and control - DREF Operation N° MDRMY010 - Malaysia.” ReliefWeb, 17 November 2023, https://reliefweb.int/report/malaysia/malaysia-dengue-prevention-and-control-dref-operation-ndeg-mdrmy010. Accessed 21 March 2024.
4. World Health Organization. (2022). Dengue and Severe Dengue. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from WHO:
   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
5. “Here's why we need an integrated approach to tackle dengue deaths.” The World Economic Forum, 1 November 2023, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/11/dengue-integrated-management-to-achieve-zero-deaths/. Accessed 21 March 2024.
6. WHO. “GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR DENGUE PREVENTION AND CONTROL.” https://www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2017-06/9789241504034_eng.pdf. Accessed 21 March 2024.
7. Ministry of Health Malaysia. (2020). Integrated Vector Management for Aedes Control. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from MOH: https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/MAHTAS/HTA/Report%20HTA%20IVM%20for%20Aedes%20Control.pdf 
8. Seng, Tham Ah. (‎2001)‎. Legislation for Dengue Control in Malaysia. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from WHO: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/163628/dbv25p109.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 
9. World Health Organization. (2018). Vaccines and immunization: Dengue. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from WHO:
   https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/dengue-vaccines
10. EMA. (2023). Qdenga. Retrieved March 21, 2023 from European Medicines Agency:
    https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/qdenga
11. “Mosquitoes with Wolbachia for reducing numbers of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes | Mosquitoes | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/community/emerging-methods/wolbachia.html. Accessed 21 March 2024.

This article is brought to you by Takeda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 200901025887 (868989-K)

Disclaimer: This information is available to the public for information purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not intended to substitute consultation with a healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice.

These images depict hypothetical patients and/or healthcare professionals.

C-ANPROM/MY/DENV/0292 March 2024