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== CHIKUNGUNYA AND DENGUE IN KERALA ==

HARNESSING CHIKUNGUNYA & DENGUE- AN INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENT SAFE APPROACH

Sreejith A., **Dr. Lakshmanan S

Recent outbreaks and resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases such as Chickungunya and dengue in parts of Indian peninsula, especially in state of Kerala, which boasts an efficient healthcare system, is an outcome of extensive mosquito breeding under situations of unsustainable environment management.

Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an RNA virus, alphavirus (Fam:Togoviridae) that is spread by mosquito bites from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, though recent research by the Pasteur Institute in Paris claims the virus has suffered a mutation that enables it to be transmitted by Aedes aegypti , Aedes albopictus (Tiger mosquito).
Dengue Fever (DF), an outbreak prone viral disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. DF is characterized by fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, rash, nausea and vomiting. Some infection results in Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) - a syndrome that in its severe form can threaten the patient’s life primarily through increased vascular permeability and shock. The four-dengue viruses DEN 1, 2, 3 and 4, which are closely related antigenically, causes DF and DHF. Aedes aegypti is the main vector species of DF/DHF in India and is common in most of the urban areas on account of deficient water management, presence of nondegradable tyres and long-lasting plastic containers as well as increasing urban agglomerations and inability of the public health community to mobilize the population to respond to the need to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Overhead tanks, ground water storage tanks and septic tanks are usually the primary habitats where the Aedes sp. breeds almost entirely. Natural larval habitats are rare, but include tree holes, leaf axles and coconut shells. The population of Aedes aegypti fluctuates with rainfall temperature and humidity. Under the optimal conditions the life cycle of aquatic stage of the Aedes aegypti (the time taken from hatching to adult emergence) can be as short as seven days. At low temperatures, however, it may take several weeks for adults to emerge. With the rise in global temperature as a result of Global climate change, which is evident during the past two months in the state of Kerala, may be one of the many reasons for extensive multiplication of arthropod vectors like Aedes sp. During the rainy season, when survival is longer, the risk of virus transmission is greater. The rural spread of Aedes is a relatively recent occurrence associated with expanding network of rural water supply schemes and other development projects without health and environmental impact assessments, scarcity of water with consequent water storage, changing lifestyle with improper use of air coolers and indiscriminate use of disposable containers, bottles, etc, increased the spread. Therefore, the key to control vector borne diseases is adoption of a comprehensive approach by way of regular vector surveillance and integrated management of the Aedes mosquitoes through environmental, biological and chemical control that are safe and cost effective;

Environmental Management

The major environmental management methods used for control of immature stages of Aedes sp. is:
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