NURS 8310 Week 9 Discussion Investigating Pandemics and Epidemics 

Laureate Education (Producer) argued that emerging and reemerging infectious disease concerns healthcare providers and public health officials (2012). Most of the critical reemerging infectious disease agents first emerged long ago but survived and persistently adapted to the transforming human population and environment. Globally, infectious disease remains the leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death in the United States (NIH, 2017). Dengue fever is an excellent example of a reemerging disease. Dengue fever is a potentially lethal disease that spreads to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Almost half of the world’s population is affected yearly (CDC., Centers for Disease Control) 2021). Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral condition that has rapidly spread in all regions in recent years. Dengue is a flu-like symptom and intermittently develops into a potentially fatal complication known as severe dengue (Thomas et al 2016). The outbreak of dengue fever could be prevented through appropriate health care interventions.

DF can affect any person of any age, and its prevalence is from the tropical and subtropical regions. While there was a significant reduction in dengue fever in 2017-2018, there were increased cases in 2019 in the united states (1475 cases in the US and 118 reported cases in US Terrorities (CDC, 2019). The epidemiological triad of Dengue fever consists of the agent, host, and environment. The virus consists of the dengue virus belonging to the flavivirus genus and Flaviviridae family (Kesley Piper, 2019). The host is humans and monkeys, where it takes 4-5 incubation days following infections while the environment is the vector (Kesley Piper, 2019).

The reemergence of the dengue virus was partly facilitated by the lack of proper health care interventions. Other factors also contributed to reemergence, such as rapid growth and increasing urbanization. People live together in towns and cities rather than rural areas. Secondly, Globalization also causes reemerging because of expanding the economy, population, and business worldwide (Louten J., 2016).

Nevertheless, the outbreak of the dengue virus could have been avoided through mosquito control schemes. As mosquitoes send the condition, a reduction in their population could have lessened the prevalence and even the outbreak of the condition (Akpan et al. 2019). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are some of the regulatory organizations that would have aided in controlling the mosquito population.

Most developed countries have regulations that help protect the public from infectious diseases. Public health measures involve cutting the pathogens from their reservoir or its route of transmission. These measures include ensuring a safe water supply, managing sewage treatment and disposal, and starting food safety, animal control, and vaccination.

In conclusion, dengue fever is an excellent example of reemerging infectious and dangerous diseases and its growing threat to global health. Therefore, educational and health programs should focus on enhancing dengue knowledge and perceived susceptibility to acquiring dengue and reducing perceived barriers to prevention practices among communities. Mosquito fogging may create awareness and improve their dengue prevention practices. Therefore, less forged areas need to be the focus of education interventions. Awareness of dengue should be adhered to more enthusiastically within the community and enhanced health beliefs.

References

Aikpon  R., Dramane, G., Klotoé, J. R., Brettenny, M., Lawani, Y., Akpan, G., & Yadouléton, A. (2019). Assessment of population dynamics and biting trends of Aedes aegypti in northern Benin: Public health implications.