News– The WHO has released its first integrated guidelines for managing arboviral diseases
About Arboviral Diseases
- Arboviral diseases are infections caused by arthropod-borne viruses transmitted to humans through bites of infected insects, mainly mosquitoes and ticks.
- It is commonly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
- The Aedes aegypti mosquito can transmit several viruses within the same region, often at the same time.
- Example: Common examples include West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Eastern equine encephalitis.
- Transmission: Some viruses may also spread through blood transfusion, organ transplant, sexual contact, or mother-to-child transmission.
- Symptoms: Fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash, bleeding (in dengue and yellow fever), headache, neck stiffness, excessive sleepiness, seizures, and unconsciousness—often appearing within a few days to two weeks after a mosquito or tick bite.
- Prevention: Use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, and eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding. Ensure window and door screens are intact.
Global Risk & Impact
- Over 5.6 billion people globally are at risk of arboviral infections.
- These diseases are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions and are rapidly expanding in range.
- Infections often appear with similar flu-like symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
- Simultaneous circulation of multiple arboviruses is common in several regions.
