Disease Transmitted Through Arthropod

DISEASE TRANSMITTED THROUGH ARTHROPOD

Arthropod – borne disease are transmitted by arthopods, which includes insects , spider and crustaceans

Arthropod vector

·            Flies

·            Fleas

·            Ticks

·            Lice

Mode of Transmission

Arthropod – Borne Diseases

·            Malaria – Anopheles mosquito

·            Yellow fever – Aedes mosquito

·            Dengue fever – Aedes mosquito

·            Encephalitis – Aedes / Culex/ fleas

·            Epidemic typhus – Body louse

·            Bubonic plague – flea

1. Dengue

Dengue is a viral disease , its transmitted by the infective bite of female Aedes Aegypti mosquito, it occurs in two forms.

·             Dengue fever

·             Dengue Haemorrhagic

Causative organism

·             Aedes Aegypti Mosquito

Incubation period

·             2 to 7 days

Signs & Symptoms

·             Abrupt onset of high fever

·             Severe frontal headache

·             Pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement

·             Muscle and joint pains

·             Loss of sense of taste and appetite

·             Measles like rash over chest and upper limbs

·            Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis

Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test

·             Compliment Fixation Test (CFT)

·             Neutralization test (NT)

·             IGM – capture Enzyme –

·             Assay (MAC – ELISA)

·             IGM – ELISA

·             Rapid Diagnostic tests (NS 1)

Management

Management of Dengue fever is symptomatic and supportive management.

·             Bed rest during the acute phase.

·             Use cold sponging to keep temperature below 39° C.

·             Antipyretics may be used to lower the body temperature. Aspirin/ NSAID should be avoided since it may cause gastritis, vomiting, acidosis and platelet dysfunction.

·             oral fluid and electrolyte therapy are recommended for patients with excessive sweating or vomiting.

2. Encephalitis

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation (Swelling) of the brain usually resulting from either a viral infection or due to the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking brain tissue.

Mode of transmission

·             Respiratory droplets of infected person

·             Contaminated food and drink

·             Mosquito, tick and insect bites

·             Skin contact

Symptoms

Symptoms of New born and Infants

·             Body stiffness

·             Irritability and crying more often

·             Poor feeding

·             Bulging of fontanel

·             Vomiting

Diagnosis

·             CSF Analysis

·             EEG: Diffuse slow –wave activity

·             CT/MRI: Swelling of the brain parenchyma

Complications

Management Supportive

·             Rest

·             Reduction in room light, visitors, & noise

·             Maintain airway, breathing and circulation

·             Control of seizures

·             Treatment of raised ICT.

·             Manage fever ( never give aspirin)

·             Maintain fluid & electrolyte balance

·            Maintain blood-sugar level.

·            Feeding: NPO initially then NG Tube Feeding.

·            Physiotherapy

·            Methyl-prednisolone or Dexa-methasone must be given to children with suspected ADEM.

Preventive Measure

·            Effective viral vaccines

·            Control of insect vector

·            Eradications of insect breeding sites

·            Insect repellents-DEET