Global strategies for combating dengue Virus: a review on the control methods

Abstract

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, has become a significant global public health concern. This study explores various methods for preventing and controlling dengue, including biological, chemical, and community-based approaches. These different methods, even though they have the same purpose, can be differentiated based on their efficacy, sustainability, and the practical aspects of life. We tried delving into the methods and finding out the most suitable and efficacious method based on our country setting and compared it with the various international methods that have been useful. The biological methods mainly utilize natural organisms and environmental components to control the mosquito population. Examples include the use of fish species that prey on mosquito larvae, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) that kills mosquito larvae, and Wolbachia bacteria that reduce mosquito lifespan and ability to transmit dengue. While effective in controlling mosquito populations, chemical methods may raise concerns due to their potential harm to the environment and the development of mosquito resistance. Common practices of chemical control include fogging with insecticides, larvicides applied to water, and insect growth regulators that prevent mosquitoes from reaching adulthood. The community-based methods focus on raising public awareness and promoting individual and collective actions to prevent mosquito breeding and bites. This includes public education campaigns, community clean-up efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, and the use of personal protective measures like mosquito repellents and bed nets. The increasing prevalence of dengue highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that combines various prevention and control methods while prioritizing environmental sustainability and community engagement. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and development of novel and sustainable strategies to combat this growing global threat.