Items of Public Health Interest – Page 2

The rise of mosquito-borne diseases.

According to the United Nations, since 2007, more people globally were living in cities than at any other time in history. In Africa, projections show that by 2030 the urban population will rise to 824 million – an increase of almost 25 percent compared with today and by 2035, more people on the continent will be… Continue reading The rise of mosquito-borne diseases.

Multi-insecticide resistant malaria vectors in the field remain susceptible to malathion, despite the presence of Ace1 point mutations

Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes threatens the success of malaria vector control. Identifying the underlying mechanisms enables optimization of strategies. The molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance in three mosquito field populations from southern Côte d’Ivoire was investigated. https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1009963

Benin, Uganda and Rwanda eliminate human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), otherwise known as sleeping sickness, is a life-threatening disease that afflicts poor rural populations. Carried by tsetse flies, the disease has long been a curse for communities in West, Central and East Africa, where two different variants of the disease were rife. Now, countries and communities are fighting back with vigour… Continue reading Benin, Uganda and Rwanda eliminate human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem

With malaria one of the biggest killers of children under 5, the world’s first vaccine against a parasite is a major breakthrough for child health

UNICEF has awarded a contract for the first ever supply of a malaria vaccine to GSK with a value of up to USD 170 million[1]. The landmark award will lead to 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) being available over the next three years, potentially saving thousands of lives every year. Details at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/millions-more-children-benefit-malaria-vaccine-unicef-secures-supply

Insecticide treated bed nets contribute to resistance in bed bug populations

The use of insecticidal bed nets (IBNs) to prevent mosquito bites in malaria-endemic communities can result in resistance developing in secondary pests like bed bugs, according to research published in Parasites and Vectors. Decreased efficacy against bed bugs and other non-mosquito pests may result in misuse of both mosquito adulticides and bed nets, hampering efforts to stop… Continue reading Insecticide treated bed nets contribute to resistance in bed bug populations

Enfermedades infecciosas empeoran debido al cambio climático

Más del 58 por ciento de las enfermedades humanas causadas por patógenos, como el dengue, la hepatitis, la neumonía, la malaria y el zika se han visto agravadas por el cambio climático, según un estudio publicado el 8 de agosto en Nature Climate Change. Los hallazgos se producen en momentos que muchas regiones del mundo atraviesan sequías y olas de… Continue reading Enfermedades infecciosas empeoran debido al cambio climático

Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023

“Disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to afflict longstanding and new programmes alike, while other entrenched issues have re-emerged in new and challenging ways. The global NTD community is also confronted with a changing, multi-dimensional funding landscape as donors reassess priorities and adapt to new ways of working, as well as… Continue reading Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023

A new approach to medical entomology?

Ants don’t have a nose, but thanks to an abundance of olfactory receptors on their antennae, these tiny insects have an incredible sense of smell. Among other things, it helps them find prey, sort out friend from foe, and return to their colonies. A recent study suggests their sniffing prowess can be useful as an… Continue reading A new approach to medical entomology?