Dengue Prevention Project

What is dengue?

Dengue is a viral illness found in the tropics and spread by the bite of the female Aedes Aegypti mosquito. When you become infected by one of the strains of the dengue virus you may have no symptoms, develop a mild case, or severe dengue. In severe cases dengue can be fatal. Most people with mild or no symptoms will recover within 1- 2 weeks, but those who develop severe dengue will need to be hospitalized. The symptoms of dengue include: •high fever (40°C/104°F) •severe headache •pain behind the eyes •muscle and joint pains •nausea •vomiting •swollen glands •rash The risk of developing severe dengue increases with the second infection and children ages 5 to 9 are at the highest risk for severe dengue (1). 1.Dos Santos TH, Martin JLS, Castellanos LG, Espinal MA. Dengue in the Americas: Honduras’ worst outbreak. Lancet. 2019;394(10215):2149

Our Focus

To increase knowledge and awareness about dengue, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and methods to prevent dengue.

To develop community collaboration, increasing self-efficacy and commitment of local residents.

To increase social capita.

To put an end to mosquito breeding sites.

To decrease the morbidity and mortality from dengue.

WHERE:

In three communities:

San Ignacio de Moxos
Ixiamas
Carmen Soledad

Located in the Bolivian Amazon , South America.

SAN IGNACIO DE MOXOS was founded in 1689 by the Jesuit fathers Antonio Orellana and Juan de Espejo with Cañacures and Punuanas indigenous people. It was the first mission to be established west of the Mamoré River. It has a population of about 10,000 people and a tropical monsoon climate. Capital of the Moxos province, San Ignacio bases its current economy on livestock activity, and is an important center of departmental commerce. It has an important tangible heritage, presented by the church rebuilt according to missionary architecture, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Baroque Music Archive, the Choir and the Music School, the Indigenous Council, and the Craft Centers.

IXIAMAS is a town and municipality in the La Paz Department of Bolivia. It is the capital of the Abel Iturralde Province and has a population of about 17,570 people (as of 2020). Ixiamas is located in the northern Amazonian region of Bolivia, near the border with Peru and Pando. It has a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. Ixiamas was founded as a Jesuit mission in the 17th or 18th century and has a rich cultural and natural heritage.

CARMEN SOLEDAD is a small village in the Beni Department of Bolivia. It has about 111 residents and is located near the town of Rurrenabaque, a popular tourist destination in the Amazon rainforest. Carmen Soledad was founded as a Jesuit mission in the 17th or 18th century and has a rural and traditional lifestyle.

FOR WHOM:

The indigenous people

Mojeño Ignacianos
Tsimane
Leco
Yuracaré
Tacoma

Traditional healers, San Ignacio de Moxos, April 21, 2023

Health promoters, Ixiamas, April 15, 2023

Health promoters and children, Carmen Soledad, October 12, 2023

WHY:

Dengue cases follow a cyclical pattern with large outbreaks every 3 to 4 years.
The number of case in the large outbreaks are increasing.
Dengue-related deaths are also increasing.

Dengue cases have been increasing across the globe and particularly in Bolivia. There are several reasons (1): Climate change: Higher temperatures and increasing rainfall create favorable conditions for mosquitoes to breed and transmit the virus. Warmer weather also helps the virus develop faster inside the mosquito and increase its geographic range. Urbanization: Rapid population growth and migration to urban areas lead to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of access to health care. These factors increase the exposure and vulnerability of people to mosquito bites and dengue infection. Travel: Increased movement of people and goods across borders facilitates the spread of different types of dengue virus (serotypes) and introduces them to new areas where people have no immunity. Vaccine: The only licensed vaccine for dengue is only recommended for people who have had a previous dengue infection and live in endemic areas. This limits its effectiveness and coverage and may also increase the risk of severe dengue for those who receive it without prior exposure. The best way to prevent dengue is to avoid mosquito bites and control mosquito populations. Some of the measures that can help are: Wearing long-sleeved clothing and using insect repellents when outdoors. Installing screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the house. Eliminating or covering any potential breeding sites for mosquitoes, such as containers with stagnant water, trash, or tires. Seeking medical attention for symptoms of dengue, such as fever, headache, rash, or bleeding. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the severity and complications of the disease. 1. Marano M. The Increasing Burden of Dengue Fever in a Changing Climate. The Rockefeller Foundation. Published November 10, 2022. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/blog/the-increasing-burden-of-dengue-fever-in-a-changing-climate/

DENGUE AND SEVERE DENGUE FACTS from WHO

HOW:

Delivering educational workshops to raise the level of knowledge and awareness about dengue (the clinical presentation, treatment and prevention) to new health promoters and traditional healers.
Training health promoters to enable them to develop programs for community collaboration and to increase self-efficacy, and the commitment of their neighbors to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in their homes and public areas.

Example of material used in the workshops.