Dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti:

Dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti:

Dengue virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly A. aegypti. These mosquitoes usually live between the latitudes of 35° North and 35° South below an elevation of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). They typically bite during the day, particularly in the early morning and in the evening, but they are able to bite and thus spread infection at any time of day all during the year.

There are no approved vaccines for the dengue virus. Prevention thus depends on control of and protection from the bites of the mosquito that transmits it. The World Health Organization recommends an Integrated Vector Control program consisting of five elements:

1.      Advocacy, social mobilization and legislation to ensure that public health bodies and communities are strengthened;

2.      Collaboration between the health and other sectors (public and private);

3.      An integrated approach to disease control to maximize use of resources;

4. Evidence-based decision making to ensure any interventions are targeted appropriately; and Capacity-building to ensure an adequate response to the local situation.