The Sunday Times April 02, 2006
Directions: Virus in retreat
THE BATTLE against the mosquito-borne virus that has gripped the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, the Seychelles, Réunion and Madagascar is slowly being won, according to health officials. Last week, 4,500 new cases of the chikungunya virus were reported on Réunion, down from 5,600 the week before. Nearly one third of the island’s population has been stricken by the excruciating flu-like symptoms; 155 have died. In Mauritius, where the government has lifted a tax on insect repellent, cases have dropped from 500 per day to about 100 as authorities wage chemical warfare on mosquito breeding grounds and seekto educate apathetic locals.
“You can buy hundreds of fogging machines, but if you do not develop a ‘no mosquito’ culture, your efforts will be in vain,” said Dr Pierre Formenty from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Danièle Ilef, a local doctor, warned of the dangers of dengue fever breaking out in an already weakened region.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2773-2112416,00.html
Directions: Virus in retreat
THE BATTLE against the mosquito-borne virus that has gripped the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, the Seychelles, Réunion and Madagascar is slowly being won, according to health officials. Last week, 4,500 new cases of the chikungunya virus were reported on Réunion, down from 5,600 the week before. Nearly one third of the island’s population has been stricken by the excruciating flu-like symptoms; 155 have died. In Mauritius, where the government has lifted a tax on insect repellent, cases have dropped from 500 per day to about 100 as authorities wage chemical warfare on mosquito breeding grounds and seekto educate apathetic locals.
“You can buy hundreds of fogging machines, but if you do not develop a ‘no mosquito’ culture, your efforts will be in vain,” said Dr Pierre Formenty from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Danièle Ilef, a local doctor, warned of the dangers of dengue fever breaking out in an already weakened region.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2773-2112416,00.html