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What Are the Latest Preventive Measures for Dengue?

Prevent Dengue? Find the Latest Measures Here! | DoctorOnCall

Dengue poses a significant threat to public health, affecting millions of adults and children each year.[1]Integrated dengue control employs more than one preventive method against dengue to reduce the number of severe dengue infections.[2] Integrated control may involve enhancing community disease awareness, conducting area cleaning and mosquito suppression campaigns, much like the operations conducted by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.[3]

In this article, you will learn about dengue, dengue protection, and the latest preventive measures.

Protecting Yourself Against Dengue

There are many ways to protect yourself from dengue, including:[4]

  • Preventing the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes by throwing away stagnant water.
  • Using mosquito repellents.
  • Installing mosquito nets on windows.
  • Implementing a routine fogging schedule.
  • Considering vaccination for you and your loved ones.

What is an Integrated Approach to Management of Dengue?

An integrated approach to managing dengue, as outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Dengue Prevention and Control, involves using a combination of different strategies to tackle dengue effectively. This includes:[5][6]

  1. Evidence-based decision-making: Using scientific research to guide actions, like removing stagnant water to reduce mosquito breeding.
  2. Advocacy, mobilisation, and legislation: Raising awareness, organising clean-up drives, and pushing for laws to prevent dengue.
  3. Collaboration across sectors: Working with government, healthcare institutions, schools, and communities to fight dengue together.
  4. Capacity building: Training individuals to recognise dengue symptoms, use repellents, and eliminate breeding sites, empowering communities to act.
  5. Vaccination: This preventive method is now available in Malaysia. In areas with high dengue cases, WHO recommends vaccination for children aged 6 to 16 years.[5]

Everyone can play a part in staying informed and protecting themselves.

Integrated Dengue Management In Malaysia

Since 2011, Malaysia's Integrated Management Strategy has been at the forefront of dengue prevention and control efforts.[7]

Let's take a closer look at the various components of Malaysia's integrated management strategy:

  1. House Inspection: Regular inspections to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites in premises.
  2. Larvicidal and Adulticidal Treatment: Use of larvicides and fogging with insecticides to reduce mosquito populations.
  3. Health Public Education and Publicity: Conducting campaigns to raise awareness and encourage public participation in dengue prevention.

Malaysia has made considerable strides toward dengue management by enforcing the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insect Act (DDBIA). Annually, authorities issue more than 13 thousand warning notices and 22,660 compounds to offenders who harboured Aedes larvae in their facilities.[8]

In Summary

The WHO recommends an integrated approach to manage dengue. This includes a comprehensive set of interventions including vector control, public education, personal protection, disease tracking, and vaccination.[6]

While minor symptoms can be managed at home, severe cases often require hospital treatment. Seeking medical advice early is crucial if dengue is suspected.

Everyone is potentially at risk of dengue, no matter who or where they are.

Protect yourself and your loved ones by taking the necessary precautions to prevent dengue. You, too, can act against dengue. Ask your doctor for advice on the latest dengue prevention methods including vaccination.

References

  1. World Health Organization. (2011). Comprehensive Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from WHO.
  2. Bos, S., & Gubler, G. (2018). Dengue: A Growing Threat Requiring Vaccine Development For Disease Prevention. Pathogens and Global Health, 294–305. doi:10.1080/20477724.2018.1514136. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from NCBI.
  3. ReliefWeb. (2023). Malaysia: Dengue prevention and control - DREF Operation N° MDRMY010. Retrieved March 21, 2024, from ReliefWeb.
  4. World Health Organization. (2022). Dengue and Severe Dengue. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from WHO.
  5. World Health Organization. (2023). Dengue. Retrieved March 21, 2024, from WHO.
  6. WHO. (2017). Global Strategy for Dengue Prevention and Control. Retrieved March 21, 2024, from WHO.
  7. Ministry of Health Malaysia. (2020). Integrated Vector Management for Aedes Control. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from MOH.
  8. Seng, Tham Ah. (2001). Legislation for Dengue Control in Malaysia. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from WHO.

This article is brought to you by Takeda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 200901025887 (868989-K)

Disclaimer: This information is available to the public for information purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not intended to substitute consultation with a healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice.

These images depict hypothetical patients and/or healthcare professionals.

C-ANPROM/MY/DENV/0395 March 2025

Written By Dr Shobika Nair, Doctor of Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russia on

Reviewed By DoctorOnCall Panel Doctor