Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

CRME part of six-nation initiative to fight dengue

MADURAI: The Centre for Research in Medical Entomology, a premier laboratory of the Indian Council of Medical Research here, is working with scientists of five southeast Asian countries on a new research initiative to eradicate dengue.

Under the aegis of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), Geneva, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, the multi-disciplinary research focusses on better understanding of ecological, biological and social aspects to prevent dengue.

Talking to The Hindu here on Tuesday, CRME Director (in-charge) B.K. Tyagi said scientists from India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar would work on the ‘Eco-bio-socio aspects of dengue in Asia’ project to evolve a comprehensive control strategy. It assumes significance as there is no definitive drug or vaccine available for dengue, a mosquito-borne infection. The three-dimensional approach would lay emphasis on effective mosquito control through community participation.

“We are of the view that a better understanding of the ecosystem and biological behaviour of the vector (mosquito) in these countries is important. While identifying major breeding sites in the peri-domestic areas, we have to study the link between environment and economic factors such as trade, fisheries and transport,” said Dr. Tyagi.

The scientists will develop and evaluate community-based ecosystem management interventions in 2008-09 to reduce transmission of dengue below threshold levels for epidemic outbreak, he said. The project is funded by the World Health Organisation, World Bank, United Nations Children’s Fund and United Nations Development Programme.

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