The Threats of Dengue and the Ultimate Solution

The emergence of dengue virus in different parts of the world continues to become a major health concern as it brings more serious complications—posing high risk to almost half of the world. In Southeast Asia alone, this mosquito has been the main cause of hospitalization and even death, especially among children. And the least thing we could do to prevent the spread of the disease is to control and to reduce the number of the mosquitoes carrying the virus.

Aedes aegypti is the principal vector that
carries the dengue and malaria viruses.

Source: http://www.nd.edu/~lumen/2007_06/
BiologistDavidSeversonhelpsmapyellowfever
denguemosquitogenome.shtml

In a Disease Surveillance Report released by the Department of Health National Epidemiology Center during the first week of May 2009, the number of dengue cases is lower by 54.7% compared to the number of cases reported same time period last year.  But this gives us no reason to disregard its possible dangers. Most of the cases are from the National Capital Region (NCR) with 18%, Region XI with 17%, Region IV-A with 12.3%, Region VII with 10%, Region XII with 8.3%, Region VI with 7.7% and Region III with 7.2%. The DOH has been warning the public of a resurgence of Dengue especially during the rainy season, we should be alert and vigilant, and not complacent.

No vaccine or treatment is available up to now to combat this mosquito-borne disease. Efforts to lower the number of dengue cases are limited only to vector control, mostly through the use of synthetic insecticides.  

This photo shows an arm of a patient suffering
from Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) - a
more serious dengue infection that could lead
to death.

Source: http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/flavi/
2004gallo/dengue.html

At present we live in an environment that is becoming more and more urbanized. Our living condition changes and so are the mosquitoes’. They have adapted to the environment we are in for the longest time and it has become easier for them to propagate. In a published article of Environmental Health Perspectives, the growing population, urbanization and modern transportation are the major causes of the continuous spread of dengue (Phillips, 2008: A385-A386). Thus, the mosquitoes that carry this deadly virus have come to fit in our changing environment.

Andiroba & Neem: A convenient and sustainable solution

For years, the oils of andiroba and neem have been regarded as medically useful. Neem has been used to treat various skin diseases and is known to be an effective natural pesticide. Its azadirachtin component has been identified to have detrimental effects on insects. It is an anti-feedant and deters reproduction (Condor-Golec, 2007: 69).

Andiroba provides the same protection against biting insects with its limonoids that have insect repellent and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils do not only help repel insects but are also powerful pain relievers and relief for skin irritations. Andiroba and neem have been considered to be effective and safe to use as alternatives to chemical-based pain relievers and insect repellents.

Through research and with the urge to produce a natural and organic insect repellent, the GreenCow Company, Inc. introduces its newest product line that will keep these biting insects away.

Tune in to this website as we launch a safe, effective and environmental-friendly product soon.

References:

Condor-Golec, A.F. (2007). Effect of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) insecticides on parasitoids, (14)1: 69-74, August 2007, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas UNMSM. Retrived December 03, 2008, from http://sisbib.unmsm.edu.pe/BVRevistas/biologia/v14n1/pdf/v14n01a16.pdf

Department of Health National Epidemiology Center. (2009). Disease surveillance report: dengue cases, Morbidity Week 18th, May 3-9, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009, from http://www.doh.gov.ph/nec/images/dengue2009/denup18.pdf

Lee Phillips, M. (2008). Dengue reborn: widespread resurgence of a resilient vector. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vo. 116, No. 9, September 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2009, from http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/116-9/EHP116pa382PDF.PDF