A Presentation for Pacific Island Schools and Communities Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the Pacific: Dengue, Filariasis, and Malaria A Presentation for Pacific Island Schools and Communities

Presentation Overview How do mosquitoes spread diseases to people? What mosquito-borne diseases are a concern in the Pacific? How can I prevent these diseases? How do I know if I have them? What is the treatment for them?

Mosquitoes, People, and Diseases Some diseases—like dengue, filariasis, and malaria—are spread by mosquitoes. These are called mosquito-borne diseases. When a mosquito bites a person who has one of these diseases, the mosquito becomes infected, too.

Mosquitoes, People, and Diseases The next time a mosquito bites someone, it can pass the disease on to that person. This is called the disease transmission cycle. Unless we break the cycle, it can go on and on and on…spreading disease to our families, friends, and communities.

Disease Transmission Cycle                                          Mosquito Images: WHO/TDR/Stammers Pacific Residents Images: WHO/TDR/Crump

Mosquito-Borne Diseases in the Pacific Dengue Filariasis Malaria

Spread most often by Aedes mosquito. Dengue “Dengue” or “dengue fever” is found throughout the Pacific Islands. Number of people with dengue is usually low, except in “outbreak” years when many people are infected. Spread most often by Aedes mosquito. Photo: WHO/TDR/Stammers

Photos: WHO/TDR/Wellcome Filariasis Very common throughout the Pacific, but new medicines are helping to fight it. Disease is caused by little worms. People do not die, but their body parts swell up and they lose immunity. Photos: WHO/TDR/Wellcome

Malaria This serious, sometimes deadly disease is spread by the anopheles mosquito. Children and pregnant women are at extra risk. Found in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Photo: WHO/TDR Image: WHO (WPRO)

Preventing Mosquito-Borne Diseases Ways to stop the disease transmission cycle: Remove mosquito breeding sites Take MDA filariasis drugs Use Insect-Treated Nets (ITNs)

Mosquito Breeding Sites Mosquitoes that spread disease can lay eggs in many objects that hold water. Photos: WHO/TDR/Crump

Mosquito Breeding Sites To stop mosquitoes from laying eggs: Clean up trash—especially cans, drums, and plastic containers that can hold water. Cover or put a screen on containers you use to store water for drinking, animals, or plants.

Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Communities can protect themselves from filariasis with medicines available through MDA programs. These medicines kill the worms that cause filariasis. Everyone in the community should take filariasis/MDA drugs once a year. Photo: WHO/TDR/Crump

Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) Where available, nets can protect people from mosquitoes. Photo: WHO/TDR/S. Lindsey Photo: WHO/TDR/Crump

Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) These nets are soaked in a chemical (called an “insecticide”) that keeps mosquitoes away. To work properly, nets should be treated regularly with insecticide and repaired if torn.

How do I know if I have dengue? The warning signs of dengue are: high fever severe headache backache joint pains nausea and vomiting eye pain rash If you have these signs, go to a medical facility or see a doctor. CDC. Dengue Q&A. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/dengue-qa.htm

How do I know if I have filariasis? Most people are infected with filariasis when they are children, but do not have symptoms until they are adults. There are usually no early warning signs. If you live in an area where many people have filariasis, you may want to have a test for filariasis.

How do I know if I have filariasis? The main symptom of filariasis is the swelling of body parts to many times their normal size, which is very painful. Skin infections happen often and make the swelling even more uncomfortable. After many infections, the skin will get tough and thick (elephantiasis).

How do I know if I have malaria? The symptoms of malaria are similar to flu and often include fever, headache, and body aches. Sometimes stomach pain and diarrhea may be present. Children may vomit, be irritable, and refuse to eat. If you live in an area with malaria and have these signs, you should go to a clinic or see a doctor immediately.

What is the treatment for dengue? There is no drug to cure dengue. Patients are made more comfortable and watched to make sure the dengue does not become severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever)—which can kill people. Patients are given lots of liquids and non-aspirin medications for pain relief. Patients are protected from mosquitoes, so the insects do not bite them and spread the dengue further.  

What is the treatment for filariasis? The key treatments for filariasis are: Taking the MDA medicines (these can kill the worms and stop further swelling and damage). Washing the swollen areas twice a day with soap and water to avoid infection and using antibacterial cream on cuts. Elevating (raising) the swollen body part. Exercising swollen limbs. Surgery may be an option for some body parts.

What is the treatment for malaria? If the malaria is found early (with a test) and it is mild, medicines may be used to treat it. Two medicines are often given together to make the treatment stronger. If the malaria is serious, doctors in a clinic will have to use more serious medicines more frequently to make sure the person lives.

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