Be alert, This is the Cause of dengue hemorrhagic fever occurring in the rainy season

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In the rainy season, the population of Aedes aegypti, which causes dengue fever, will increase because unhatched eggs will hatch when their breeding habitat begins to be flooded with rainwater. When the mosquito population increases, this will also cause an increase in the transmission of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Be alert, the cause of dengue hemorrhagic fever occurring in the rainy season

Foodieaty – Dengue fever is one of the fastest spreading diseases mosquitoes transmit. As the rainy season approaches, the World Health Organization (WHO) will generally call for action to minimize disease and death from dengue fever.

WHO also states that the incidence of dengue fever has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years. Of the approximately 2.5 billion people at risk of dengue fever globally, around 70 per cent live in Asia Pacific countries.

Climatic conditions, unclean environments, unplanned urban settlements, and rapid urbanization can cause increased mosquito breeding, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.

Dengue Fever in the Rainy Season

Cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) actually fluctuate, but during the rainy season, the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) generally increases. In the rainy season, the Aedes aegypti population will increase because unhatched eggs will hatch when their breeding habitat begins to be flooded with rainwater. As a result, this can increase the mosquito population, leading to increased transmission of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Apart from that, the survival of the Aedes aegypti mosquito will be longer if the humidity level is high during the rainy season, so people must be more vigilant when entering the rainy season.

Dengue fever is caused by one of four types of dengue virus. You cannot catch dengue fever from being around infected people. Because dengue fever is transmitted through mosquito bites.

The two types of mosquitoes that most often spread the dengue virus are commonly found both in and around human residences. When a mosquito bites someone infected with the dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another person, the virus enters that person's bloodstream and causes infection.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

To prevent dengue fever infection, a person can actually get a vaccine. However, the World Health Organization emphasizes the vaccine itself is not an effective tool for reducing dengue fever in areas where the disease is common. Preventing mosquito bites and controlling mosquito populations is still the main method for preventing the spread of dengue fever.

If you live or travel to an area where dengue fever is common, there are the following tips to reduce the risk of mosquito bites:

1). Use Air Conditioning or Protect Home Ventilation

Houses that have air conditioning or have ventilation installed with barrier nets will result in lower mosquito bites at home. In addition, you should know that mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus are most active from dawn to dusk, but they can also bite at night.

2). Wear Protective Clothing

When you go to mosquito-infested areas, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.

3). Use mosquito repellent

Permethrin can be applied to clothing, shoes, camping gear, and mosquito nets at home. You can also buy clothes made with permethrin already in them. Meanwhile, for skin, use a lotion that contains at least a 10 percent concentration of DEET.

4). Reduce Mosquito Habitat

Mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus usually live in and around homes, breeding in standing water that can collect in used car tires. You can help reduce the mosquito population by eliminating the habitat where they lay their eggs. At least once a week, empty and clean containers that hold standing water, such as planting containers, pet dishes, and flower vases. Keep the standing water container closed between cleanings.

Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed in 2021. About Dengue: What You Need to Know.
Mayo Clinic. Accessed 2021. Dengue Fever.
WHO. Accessed 2021. Dengue Increase Likely During Rainy Season: WHO Warns.