Prevention Of Arboviral Diseases Research Articles

WhatsApp-based intervention in urban Colombia to support the prevention of arboviral diseases: a feasibility study

ABSTRACT Arboviral diseases remain a significant health concern worldwide, with over half the world’s population at risk for dengue alone. Without a vaccine or targeted treatment, the most effective strategy of prevention is vector management with community involvement. mHealth interventions, like WhatsApp, offer promising results for engaging communities and promoting healthier behaviors. This study explores the feasibility of integrating WhatsApp in vector control activities to improve arbovirus prevention in Colombia. A mixed-methods approach was employed to assess the WhatsApp-based intervention. WhatsApp messages were sent to 45 community women for 5 weeks to increase their knowledge and practices about dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Pre-and-post surveys and focus group discussions were conducted in community settings to measure the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. Chat reviews were done to assess the usability of users. A total of 1566 messages were exchanged in 45 WhatsApp chats. High acceptance and good usability (82% of users used the app for replying) were reported in this study. WhatsApp messages were perceived as short, clear, and enjoyable. Users liked the frequency, and design of messages. Pre- and post-surveys demonstrated improvements in the knowledge and practices of arboviral diseases. The intention to apply this knowledge in practice was reflected in a significant improvement, particularly in cleaning the laundry tank once a week (pre 62.1% to post 89.6%, p < 0.008). This study suggests that using WhatsApp as an additional tool could be a feasible, acceptable, and affordable strategy for improving the adoption of better practices in the prevention of arboviral diseases.

Risk Stratification to Guide Prevention and Control Strategies for Arboviruses Transmitted by Aedes aegypti.

Strategies for the prevention of arboviral diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti have traditionally focused on vector control. This remains the same to this day, despite a lack of documented evidence on its efficacy due to a lack of coverage and sustainability. The continuous growth of urban areas and generally unplanned urbanization, which favor the presence of Ae. aegypti, demand resources, both material and human, as well as logistics to effectively lower the population's risk of infection. These considerations have motivated the development of tools to identify areas with a recurrent concentration of arboviral cases during an outbreak to be able to prioritize preventive actions and optimize available resources. This study explores the existence of spatial patterns of dengue incidence in the locality of Tartagal, in northeastern Argentina, during the outbreaks that occurred between 2010 and 2020. Approximately half (50.8%) of the cases recorded during this period were concentrated in 35.9% of the urban area. Additionally, an important overlap was found between hotspot areas of dengue and chikungunya (Kendall's W = 0.92; p-value < 0.001) during the 2016 outbreak. Moreover, 65.9% of the cases recorded in 2022 were geolocalized within the hotspot areas detected between 2010 and 2020. These results can be used to generate a risk map to implement timely preventive control strategies that prioritize these areas to reduce their vulnerability while optimizing the available resources and increasing the scope of action.

Covariate-constrained randomization with cluster selection and substitution.

An ongoing cluster-randomized trial for the prevention of arboviral diseases utilizes covariate-constrained randomization to balance two treatment arms across four specified covariates and geographic sector. Each cluster is within a census tract of the city of Mérida, Mexico, and there were 133 eligible tracts from which to select 50. As some selected clusters may have been subsequently found unsuitable in the field, we desired a strategy to substitute new clusters while maintaining covariate balance. We developed an algorithm that successfully identified a subset of clusters that maximized the average minimum pairwise distance between clusters in order to reduce contamination and balanced the specified covariates both before and after substitutions were made. Simulations were performed to explore some limitations of this algorithm. The number of selected clusters and eligible clusters were varied along with the method of selecting the final allocation pattern. The algorithm is presented here as a series of optional steps that can be added to the standard covariate-constrained randomization process in order to achieve spatial dispersion, cluster subsampling, and cluster substitution. Simulation results indicate that these extensions can be used without loss of statistical validity, given a sufficient number of clusters included in the trial.

Emerging Arboviruses of Public Health Concern in Africa: Priorities for Future Research and Control Strategies

Arboviruses are most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, where arthropods are widespread. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the mortality burden of arbovirus diseases, such as yellow fever in Africa, was 84,000–170,000 severe cases and 29,000–60,000 deaths in 2013. These epidemics emphasize the urgent need for integrated control and prevention of arboviral diseases. Challenges in managing and controlling arboviral diseases in Africa are mainly attributed to poor insect vector control, insecticide resistance, and poor sanitation and solid waste management. The removal or reduction of mosquito populations amongst susceptible individuals is identified as the most effective measure to control many vector-borne diseases. Current public health needs call for efficient vector control programs and maintenance of adequate surveillance systems through the availability of trained personnel and rapid diagnostic facilities, providing an interdisciplinary response to control and mitigate the threats of emerging and re-emerging arboviruses. Furthermore, research priorities should focus on understanding the factors responsible for adaptation to other vectors, determinants of infection and transmission, and the development of high efficiency antiviral molecules or candidate vaccines. Here, we explore and review our current understanding of arboviruses of public health importance in Africa, with a focus on emerging arboviruses, their arthropod vectors, and the epidemiology of major arboviruses. Finally, we appraise the role of planetary health in addressing the threat of arboviruses and identify other priority areas of research for effective control.

Mosquito-Borne Arboviruses in Brazil: Assessment of Apps Based on the Mobile Apps Rating Scale (MARS)

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the prevalence of arboviral diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, transmitted mainly by mosquitos, has increased alarmingly. In recent years, numerous free mobile apps tackling this issue have become available for various purposes and users. &#x0D; &#x0D; OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically survey and evaluate these apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). &#x0D; &#x0D; METHODS: The survey was performed on Google Play Store and sought to identify these apps adopting the descriptors &amp;ldquo;Chikungunya&amp;rdquo;, &amp;ldquo;Dengue&amp;rdquo; and &amp;ldquo;Zika&amp;rdquo;. The MARS scale was used by two researchers to evaluate the apps following their translation to Portuguese and subsequent validation. Student&amp;#39;s T-test, Kappa statistics, and Cronbach&amp;#39;s alpha coefficient were employed to evaluate the interobserver agreement and the reliability of the scale. &#x0D; &#x0D; RESULTS: Most apps (20 out of 29 or ~70%) were created to disseminate basic information about arboviral diseases to the population or for entertainment. There was an agreement between the two researchers for all parameters of the MARS scale, except for the engagement (p=0.002). The Cronbach&amp;#39;s alpha coefficient indicated good reliability. &#x0D; &#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The use of the MARS scale has shown that most of the evaluated apps were developed to share information about arboviral diseases in an interactive way, but they do not necessarily have the purpose of influencing their users to change behaviours related to vector control or the prevention of arboviral diseases, which the authors feel would be a more appropriate aim for future app development.

Aedes aegypti Identified in York, Nebraska, Through Routine Arboviral Surveillance-August-October 2019.

On August 27, 2019, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were identified in a neighborhood located in York, NE, through routine arboviral surveillance. Expanded surveillance using traps and morphologic identification revealed 118 adult Ae. aegypti throughout the adjacent neighborhood, including identification from larval sampling. Our findings describe the first recorded Ae. aegypti introduction in Nebraska and provide evidence of a breeding mosquito population, which suggests suitable habitat and the risk of potential establishment, raising concerns about prevention of arboviral diseases in Nebraska.

Ingested insecticide to control Aedes aegypti: developing a novel dried attractive toxic sugar bait device for intra-domiciliary control

BackgroundIllnesses transmitted by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika comprise a considerable global burden; mosquito control is the primary public health tool to reduce disease transmission. Current interventions are inadequate and insecticide resistance threatens the effectiveness of these options. Dried attractive bait stations (DABS) are a novel mechanism to deliver insecticide to Ae. aegypti. The DABS are a high-contrast 28 inch2 surface coated with dried sugar-boric acid solution. Aedes aegypti are attracted to DABS by visual cues only, and the dried sugar solution elicits an ingestion response from Ae. aegypti landing on the surface. The study presents the development of the DABS and tests of their impact on Ae. aegypti mortality in the laboratory and a series of semi-field trials.MethodsWe conducted multiple series of laboratory and semi-field trials to assess the survivability of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes exposed to the DABS. In the laboratory experiments, we assessed the lethality, the killing mechanism, and the shelf life of the device through controlled experiments. In the semi-field trials, we released laboratory-reared female Ae. aegypti into experimental houses typical of peri-urban tropical communities in South America in three trial series with six replicates each. Laboratory experiments were conducted in Quito, Ecuador, and semi-field experiments were conducted in Machala, Ecuador, an area with abundant wild populations of Ae. aegypti and endemic arboviral transmission.ResultsIn the laboratory, complete lethality was observed after 48 hours regardless of physiological status of the mosquito. The killing mechanism was determined to be through ingestion, as the boric acid disrupted the gut of the mosquito. In experimental houses, total mosquito mortality was greater in the treatment house for all series of experiments (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe DABS devices were effective at killing female Ae. aegypti under a variety of laboratory and semi-field conditions. DABS are a promising intervention for interdomiciliary control of Ae. aegypti and arboviral disease prevention.

The prevention of arboviral diseases using mobile devices: a preliminary study of the attitudes and behaviour change produced by educational interventions.

In Brazil, the National Policy for Dengue Control seeks to incorporate the lessons of national and international experience in dengue control, emphasising the need for health education activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to the prevention of arboviruses before and after a two-month educational intervention using a learning platform on mobile devices. This quasi-experimental study corresponds to the first phase of the project 'Impact of mobile learning in the prevention and management of complications caused by arboviruses (Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya) - ZIKAMOB', sponsored as part of the British Council Newton Fund. Thirty of the 93 participants were first-year undergraduate university students (36.7% male), and 63 were police officers (84.1% male). The pattern of attitudes and behaviour was very similar in both groups before the intervention. The students changed their attitudes and behaviour (P=0.032) in relation to their engagements in actions for the prevention of arboviral diseases and several other activities related to house inspections and precautions with water tanks (P<0.01). However, recycling and surveillance activities were not as effective in changing behaviour. Female participants showed more motivation to participate in preventive activities, but living alone and working were barriers to participation. Individuals who already perform selective waste collection and are cultivating gardens demonstrated both a positive attitude and a positive behaviour towards actions for the prevention of arboviral diseases. Mobile learning and behaviour change theories might be successful as the basis for school-based and community-based interventions to avoid arboviruses. These outcomes need to be confirmed in broader future studies.

Comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis: adecuación de iniciativas de la OPS al contexto cubano

RESUMENEl presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las oportunidades y los desafíos de los procesos de capacitación en la articulación de iniciativas regionales y nacionales de comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis, usando como ejemplo las lecciones aprendidas en el contexto cubano. En febrero de 2016 y diciembre de 2017 profesionales del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí participaron en la realización de talleres de fortalecimiento de capacidades de comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis en la Atención Primaria de Salud con la incorporación paulatina de los más recientes enfoques promovidos por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud sobre el tema. Se capacitaron especialistas de diferentes perfiles profesionales a nivel nacional, provincial, municipal y de áreas de salud, se formaron y consolidaron equipos multidisciplinarios en los diferentes niveles, se asignaron y articularon tareas concretas a cada nivel, y se establecieron sitios de demostración de los enfoques de comunicación promovidos en los talleres. Asimismo, se identificaron necesidades de aprendizaje en comunicación social y se incorporaron a la estrategia nacional 2018-2021 actividades de capacitación del personal técnico y de monitoreo y evaluación con el objetivo de garantizar la implementación de acciones de comunicación y su sostenibilidad. No obstante, las instituciones participantes tendrán que afrontar desafíos propios de la comunicación en la prevención de las arbovirosis como, por ejemplo, la fluctuación del personal entrenado, la movilización de recursos para la comunicación, y la identificación de indicadores adecuados de evaluación.

Arboviruses and their related infections in China: A comprehensive field and laboratory investigation over the last 3 decades.

Since the 1980s, a comprehensive field and laboratory investigation has been conducted throughout China, and a total of 29 virus species belonging to 7 families and 13 genera were identified through virological, morphological, and immunological methods, as well as whole-genome sequencing and molecular genetic analyses. Most of the virus isolates belong to 9 genera in the families Flaviviridae, Bunyaviridae, Togaviridae, and Reoviridae. Among them, 4 genera (Orthobunyavirus, Bunyavirus, Phlebovirus, and Nairovirus) belong to the family Bunyaviridae and 3 genera (Seadonavirus, Orbivirus, and Cypovirus) belong to the family Reoviridae. Analyses of the relationships between viruses and human/animal diseases indicated that Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, West Nile virus, and Tahyna virus can cause human and animal infections and disease epidemics in China. This review systematically introduces the current status of the diversity and geographical distribution of arboviruses and vectors in China. In addition, our results provide strong technical support for the prevention and control of arboviral diseases, the treatment of epidemics, and the early warning and prediction of diseases, and so they are significant for the control and prevention of arboviral diseases in Asia and around the world.