How is dengue surveillance being improved?

Question

Hello doctor,

With rising global temperatures, dengue fever cases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes have been increasing in America in recent decades.

What is the Pan American Health Organization's strategy to control and prevent dengue outbreaks in the region?
Specifically, what vector control methods targeting mosquito populations are being promoted?
How is PAHO supporting improvements in dengue surveillance, diagnosis, and case management?
What challenges exist in implementing integrated dengue prevention and control efforts across diverse countries and health systems?
Provide an overview of PAHO's comprehensive approach and key initiatives to tackle this growing public health threat.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Prevention steps by PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) are:

In June 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended Dengvaxia for children aged between 9 and 16 years with laboratory-confirmed previous dengue infection who are living in areas of the United States where dengue is endemic. These areas include the US territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as freely associated states, including the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Dengvaxia is not approved for use in US travelers who are visiting but not living in areas where dengue is endemic. In people who have not already been infected with DENV, Dengvaxia can increase the risk of severe illness and hospitalization if the person gets dengue after vaccination. Serodiagnostic tests with acceptable performance (≥75 percent sensitivity and ≥98 percent specificity) recommended by health authorities are available to test people for evidence of previous dengue. Only people who test positive for previous DENV infection or who have other laboratory-confirmed evidence of a previous DENV infection are eligible for vaccination with Dengvaxia. Two other dengue vaccines are currently undergoing phase three clinical trials.

No specific medication is available to prevent dengue. Risk increases with the duration of travel and disease incidence in the travel destination (for example, during local epidemics or the rainy season).

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.