New tool to detect dengue
Provides information on whether mosquitoes are carrying the virus
Sydney: A new portable tool will now help doctors detect dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes and help reduce the likelihood of human infections around the world.
Every year, almost one million people, a large proportion of whom are children, require hospitalisation for severe dengue. Besides, over a 100 million people being infected globally can result in mild debilitation through to the life-threatening complications of dengue haemorrhagic fever.
The simple diagnostic tool, developed by David Muller and colleagues from the University of Queensland and research groups in Melbourne and South America, can be used in the field to detect dengue infection in large numbers of mosquitoes.
"Unlike other approaches to mosquito surveillance, this new tool provides information on whether mosquitoes are carrying dengue," Muller said.
"It is rapid, specific, and will be viable for use in developing regions of the world..." Muller said.
