Control and eradication of diseases caused by vectors: the dengue virus

Section: ArtículoEspecial

How to quote

Escolar-Castellanos B, Orellana-Yáñez A. Control y erradicación de enfermedades ocasionadas por vectores: virus del dengue. Metas Enferm dic 2018/ene 2019; 21(10):50-6.

Authors

Blanca Escobar-Castellanos1, Alda Orellana-Yáñez2

Position

1Maestra en Ciencias de Enfermería. Departamento de Enfermería. Universidad de Sonora. México2Doctora en Enfermería. Facultad de Enfermería. Universidad de Concepcion. Chile

Contact address

Blanca Escobar Castellanos. Universidad de Sonora. Departamento de Enfermería. Blvd. Luis Encinas, s/n y Rosales.

Contact email: blanca.escobar@unison.mx

Abstract

Dengue appears as a pandemic viral disease, mostly in poor urban areas, in the countryside, and in suburbs from tropical and subtropical countries, but it is also a disease with major Public Health relevance in the worldwide setting.
The objective of this study was to analyze the international epidemiological situation of the dengue disease, and to describe the role of nursing professionals in health promotion and prevention of the disease in persons at risk.
Due to its endemic-epidemic nature in the majority of countries in the world, and its presence in America, it is necessary to implement innovative, lasting and effective strategies. The role of nurses is critical. Their academic training provides them with the information, knowledge and qualification to conduct interventions with impact on risk reduction. The work of nurses with persons, families and communities must be encouraged, in order to establish strategies of sanitation and environmental hygiene to preserve healthy environments, management and conservation of safe water, waste disposal, and combat services against risks for health, for the elimination of breeding grounds or reservoirs for dengue mosquitoes. Nurses promote health education which is culturally adequate to improve awareness and information in people, and make them co-responsible for their health. Social mobilization and communication with the population are important in order to achieve a change in the individual and collective behavior, and to have an impact on disease transmission.

Keywords:

Dengue; dengue virus; epidemiology; health care services; control of communicable diseases; environment; public health; nursing care

Versión en Español

Título:

Control y erradicación de enfermedades ocasionadas por vectores: virus del dengue