In the warm and humid tropics and subtropics, there is a long-standing and mysterious disease that spreads silently among people like a stalker. This is dengue, an ancient and troublesome infectious disease, which is rooted in the dengue virus family, a serologically complex and changeable microorganism. The virus uses specific mosquitoes as its messengers, the most threatening of which are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These slender insects, which travel through the mist at dusk and dawn, inadvertently take blood from people, but also sow the seeds of the virus, germinate in the human body, and then trigger a fierce battle of the immune system. It poses a challenge and threat to global public health that can not be ignored.
Dengue is an infectious disease caused by dengue virus, and its transmission routes mainly include direct human-to-human transmission and mosquito transmission. Natural reservoirs of dengue virus include humans, lower primates such as chimpanzees, Gibbons, and baboons, and mosquitoes. Humans and primates are the source of infection, while mosquitoes are both the reservoir and vector of the virus.
Viremia in human blood can last 6 to 12 days after infection with dengue virus. Viremia occurs in humans after an incubation period of 3 to 10 days after infection. When the bite is from an Aedes mosquito (the mosquito that transmits dengue virus), the virus will enter the mosquito’s body, and after an external incubation period of 8 to 10 days, when the mosquito bites a healthy person again, it can transmit the virus to other people.
Source ：Nature Reviews Microbiology
Etiology and viral characteristics of dengue
There are four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1 to DENV4), each of which provides lifelong immunity to that serotype but does not protect against the other serotypes. As a result of this trait, secondary infections can be more severe, causing severe dengue fevers, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, which are life-threatening. Its typical symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, pain behind the eyes, and “three red” (face, neck, chest flushing), “three pain” (headache, muscle pain, joint pain, bone pain). Laboratory diagnosis mainly depends on serological detection of viral RNA or antibodies, as well as clinical symptoms.
At present, there is no approved and registered vaccine for dengue fever on the market, which means that it is impossible to prevent dengue fever by vaccination. At present, there is no specific antiviral treatment, and supportive and symptomatic treatment measures are mainly taken. The principle of treatment is early detection, early diagnosis, early treatment and early mosquito control and isolation. Early identification and timely treatment of severe cases are the key to reduce mortality.
Product recommendation
The rapid diagnostic kit for dengue independently developed by BoatBio has superior performance, stable product, high sensitivity and strong specificity, and can quickly and accurately screen whether patients are infected with dengue.
Product performance comparison
Comparison test results of Dengue NS1 antigen rapid test kit:
Dengue NS1 test results (left: BoatBIo；right: Company )
Conclusion: It can be seen that the performance of BoatBio Dengue NS1 rapid test kit is better.
Performance comparison of Dengue IgG/IgM antigen rapid test kit:
Conclusion: The performance of BoatBio Dengue IgG/IgM rapid test kit is better.
Epidemic and control challenges
Dengue, a disease that knows no borders, has become a major public health challenge, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. With the intensification of global climate change and the acceleration of urbanization, the original ecological environment has undergone profound changes, which provides a broader breeding ground for mosquitoes and accelerates their diffusion speed and density. At the same time, frequent international travel and population mobility in the context of globalization, like building bridges, invisibly promote the rapid migration and dissemination of dengue virus across geographical boundaries. It is worth noting that from May to November every year, the prelude to the spread of dengue slowly opens and gradually accumulates until July to September, ushering in its frenzy. At this time, the arrogance rises and enters the peak period of transmission, which becomes the most vigilant period of the year. Therefore, the strengthening of preventive measures and the promotion of public awareness have become the primary issue of protecting health.
How to effectively prevent dengue?
To effectively prevent dengue, in view of the current lack of specific therapies and vaccines, blocking mosquito vectors and preventing bites have become the core strategies of prevention. Aedes mosquitoes, the main vector, prefer to breed in indoor water storage containers and humid environments, so controlling their breeding is the primary task.
The implementation measures include emptying water containers, sealing containers, cleaning water containers, frequently changing water tanks, filling pits and depressions, dredging ditches, and regularly putting insecticides, which can significantly inhibit mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of transmission. The adult mosquito population was controlled by spraying insecticides indoors and outdoors to further consolidate the control effect. At the same time, it is imperative to strengthen personal protection. Install screens and use mosquito nets at home to build a physical defense line. Avoid going out during the active period of mosquitoes. If you need to go out, wear long-sleeved clothes and apply mosquito repellent, double insurance. In addition, during the peak period of the epidemic, avoid traveling to high-risk areas such as Southeast Asia, Africa and the Americas for safety.
To sum up, through comprehensive management of mosquito environment and strengthening individual protection, a solid barrier against dengue can be effectively built.
In short, dengue is not only a tropical problem, but also a global public health challenge. Through scientific prevention and control strategies, environmental governance, personal protection and international cooperation, we can effectively reduce its impact and ensure global public health security. With the progress of scientific research, the battle against dengue will become more and more brilliant in the future, looking forward to a world without dengue.
Post time: May-21-2024