DENGUE, CHIKUNGUNYA AND ZIKA VIRUSES – TIMOR LESTE: TRIPLE OUTBREAK
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Tue 13 Feb 2024
Source: The Telegraph [edited]
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/mosquito-swarms-bring-triple-whammy-of-infectious-disease-to-timor-leste/ar-BB1icNuS
A triple outbreak of dengue, chikungunya and Zika is threatening an
island just an hour’s flight from Australia in what experts warn is a
“wake-up call” of the dangers of climate change.
Timor-Leste, bordering Indonesia, has seen its mosquito population
spiral out of control as wet and warm weather provides the perfect
breeding ground for diseases spread by the insect.
Amid the surge, Timor-Leste recorded its 1st ever chikungunya
outbreak, a condition causing debilitating joint pain with no
vaccination or treatment, on record.
Outbreaks of dengue have also been registered, with 147 total cases as
of January [2024], as well as Zika, which causes birth defects.
Experts told the Telegraph that the triple outbreak reflects the
glaring risks associated with climate change, which will extend the
wet and warm mosquito breeding season.
“Having 3 outbreaks is a wake-up call, in that sense to say these
diseases are coming as the world warms,” said Dr Michael Bonsall, a
Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford.
“In Timor-Leste, the outbreaks are related to important seasonal
fluctuations. Climate change will continue to make these sorts of
things worse.”
Zika hit the headlines as it swept through South America in 2015 and
2016, causing clusters of microcephaly and other neurological
disorders in babies.
Though cases have since declined, approximately 40 230 infections were
recorded in 2022 — a figure experts fear could rise as temperatures
climb.
Dengue, which causes severe headaches, joint pain and rashes, can
become increasingly serious if a person is exposed more than once.
Like chikungunya, there is currently no vaccination for Zika and not
one widely available for dengue.
A total of 183 cases of dengue from 5 municipalities have been
detected so far.
The capital, Dili, and the neighbouring Ermera municipality are the
hardest hit, accounting for nearly 90% of all cases.
A Zika virus infection has also been reported in the Ermera
municipality, raising fears of potential further spread.
According to Dr Bonsall, the mix of the 3 diseases could represent a
“serious outbreak” that is difficult to control and will worsen as the
wet and warm season continues.
The species of mosquito spreading the infections also complicates
matters, he added.
“Aedes _ mosquitoes that spread these viruses are not like the
_Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria,” he said.
“Anopheles mosquitoes fly around in the night, so you can sleep
under a net. But these mosquitoes are around all day. It makes it
harder to protect against them.
“Because of this and a lack of vaccinations, there isn’t a single
bullet solution.”