The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) urged countries in the Americas where the mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya is present, to redouble their efforts to reduce the presence of this vector and to be vigilant in the care of patients with both viruses, among other activities.
PAHO / WHO made these recommendations before the start of the season that tends to increase the transmission of dengue fever. This situation is the fact that since December last year in several countries in the Americas have confirmed cases of indigenous transmission of chikungunya.
So far in 2014 there have been nearly 850,000 cases of dengue in the Americas and more than 470 deaths from severe dengue. Meanwhile, for chikungunya, from confirmation of indigenous transmission in December last year until 5 September this year, have already registered about 650,000 cases and 37 deaths related to this disease.
Both viruses are transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is present in almost all countries of the Americas. Canada, Chile (continental) and Uruguay are the only countries in the region have so far reported no cases of dengue. In Uruguay there is presence of mosquito, but there have been no infections or cases. As for chikungunya, and there has been indigenous transmission in countries and territories of the Caribbean, and more recently in other African countries.
"We are facing a season where more dengue transmission and also face the risk of chikungunya reach other countries in the Americas. Hence, countries need to integrate their efforts to prevent and control both diseases," said Luis Gerardo Castellanos , Head of Unit of PAHO / WHO Neglected, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases.
In this regard, PAHO / WHO is calling on countries in the region to strengthen their strategies to prevent and control dengue, which can also be applied to prevent and control chikungunya. These cover six lines of work: patient care, social communication, surveillance, diagnostic capacity in laboratories, integrated vector management and the environment.
In this context, the organization calls on countries to intensify actions to control the presence of the mosquito. This implies from information campaigns and education to the public about how to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in homes up to eliminate activities in communal areas (parks, schools, cemeteries, for example), or possibly days of fumigation in cases where technically necessary.
"All sectors of government, communities and families must work together to combat the vector, which usually live in our homes," said Jose Luis San Martin, regional counselor dengue PAHO / WHO. "The fewer infected Aedes mosquitoes will circulate, fewer people will be at risk of being bitten and contracting the diseases," he said.
Other recommendations include countries organize their health services to quickly refer patients with symptoms of severe dengue, which require specialized medical care, and who are prepared to expand medical care if they increased cases of both diseases.
Dengue is characterized by high fever, headaches and muscle. It can lead to severe dengue, difficulty in breathing, bleeding, among others, and can cause death if not treated properly on time.
Chikungunya is also characterized by sudden onset of fever accompanied by joint pain. Although serious complications are rare, in the case of older adults with chronic diseases, children and pregnant disease may worsen. At this time there is no vaccine to prevent infection or dengue or chikungunya.
PAHO works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, is the world's oldest international public health organization. It serves as the regional office for the Americas of WHO and is specialized in the inter-agency health.
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