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Dengue Control & Prevention
Efforts
The DRF has dedicated its efforts to first identify the most cost effective
and efficient methods to control the dengue virus in Latin America, and
second to procure financial support to ensure their fruition. Through extensive
research, site visits, and financial/analytical review, the directors of
the DRF have determined that specified educational efforts are perhaps
the most effective means of controlling dengue in Latin America.
Nicaragua currently has two underfunded pilot programs that complete a
number of the prerequisites that establish the programs as excellent educational
interventions for the control of dengue. The essential aspects of these
programs are community empowerment and the development of community awareness
of not only the principles of disease transmission but also methodologies
pertaining to prevention. Educational interventions allow prominent community
members to direct the campaign thus ensuring greater uptake within the
community. Furthermore, brigades of community activists travel door to
door within specified areas conducting site visits of locations that have
shown higher incidences of dengue. Site visits are directed with the primary
intention of eradicating breeding grounds for the vector that transmits
dengue, the mosquito. Next, instruction regarding the transmission and
preventive measures against dengue are conducted in local schools. Inculcating
these aspects into the educational curriculum are essential in formulating
a stable base of citizens that have been raised in a culture of enhanced
awareness pertaining to disease transmission and prevention strategies.
The DRF is determined and dedicated to supporting these educational initiatives
in Nicaragua. All funds donated by the DRF to Nicaragua are strictly distributed
with financial report cards such that finances can be tracked and explicitly
tied to statistical outcomes. A yearly update with epidemiological statistics
will be provided to donors demonstrating the use of their funds and the
improvement regarding the reduction of the burden of disease throughout
the country of Nicaragua where these pilot programs are initiated.
Finally, it is the hope and determination of the DRF to expand funding
streams for these types of educational interventions with the express goal
that more pilot programs can be established in a variety of regions. Moreover,
the intention of the DRF is to formulate and establish a well funded program
that has longevity and statistical significance in the reduction of the
burden of disease in Nicaragua.
Physician Education
Physician education is one of the main goals of the Dengue Relief Foundation.
The world is growing and shrinking all at the same time. One could be hiking
the Mombacho Volcano in Nicaragua one morning, and breathing the smog ridden
air of Los Angeles International Airport in the afternoon. While studying
the Dengue virus and the economic impact it has had on the country of Nicaragua,
we realized that viruses travel around the world just as quickly as we
do. A traveler from Latin America could easily have brought the virus to
America - but would physicians be able to diagnose and treat this traveler
properly? The same scenario is true for Leishmaniasis, malaria, and other
infectious diseases as well.
It is important for physicians to have a world view not only of different
cultures and peoples, but also to realize that diseases once considered
to be threats in other countries, can be present in California and other
regions with many immigrants. It is especially important for primary care
physicians to be educated in the different presentations of infectious
diseases. With intimate knowledge of the presentation, etiology, and the
natural course of such diseases, immediate recognition, diagnosis treatment
and eventually prevention can be achieved.
Recently, the DRF directors have been formulating a primary care
infectious disease educational initiative. Projects of this nature
specifically allow primary care physicians in the United States to
obtain “hands on” infectious disease educational opportunities.
The DRF plans to launch a pilot program where primary care physicians
may travel to Nicaragua and or Mexico for a two week intensive preparatory
course that specifically studies endemic infectious diseases such
as Chagas, Leishmaniasis, Dengue and many others. As globalization
progresses at an ever increasing rate the level of international
travel has also been augmented at comparable levels. Parallel to
the increase in globalization and travel there has also been an increase
in what was once considered rare diseases previously not seen in
the United States. Chagas, a parasitic disease endemic to more tropical
regions is derived from the parasite organism Trypanosoma
cruzi. The disease has increased in prevalence significantly
over the last decade in the United States, a phenomenon that many
attribute to enhanced travel between the citizens of nations that
harbor an endemic disease status for Chagas.
The goal of such primary care educational programs is to allow primary
care physicians, who are the front line with respect to health care delivery,
access to tools and the necessary education to make effective diagnosis
of these rare diseases that are quickly becoming more prevalent in the
U.S.
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