Dengue fever cases have surged globally, with the disease spreading rapidly into new regions, including parts of the United States. A recent study from Stanford University has identified a simple yet often overlooked strategy to reduce the risk of dengue fever: cleaning up trash.
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted through mosquito bites, and while some cases are asymptomatic, many individuals suffer from painful body aches and high fever. Subsequent infections can be more severe, leading to complications such as hemorrhagic fever, shock, and even death. The disease thrives in warmer, wetter conditions, which are exacerbated by climate change, leading to its expansion beyond traditional tropical areas.
The Stanford research team focused on understanding the transmission of dengue, as well as two other diseases spread by the same mosquito—Zika and chikungunya—in children under five in Fiji and Indonesia, both known dengue hotspots. The study found that children living in households where garbage was regularly disposed of had a significantly lower risk of contracting dengue compared to those in homes surrounded by trash.
“Trash disposal can have a real impact on dengue risk,” said Joelle Rosser, the lead author of the study. “This highlights an important area where we have an opportunity to intervene and improve the health of humans and their lived environment.”
The team believes that trash is a major risk factor for dengue worldwide, as various types of waste can accumulate in shallow standing water, providing ideal breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit the virus. Other research from Stanford has found similar links between trash and mosquito-borne diseases in Kenya, and mosquitoes have been shown to adapt to hotter temperatures.
The study involved children from 24 locations in Fiji and Indonesia, with a focus on those under five years old, a group particularly vulnerable to dengue. The researchers were shocked by the high prevalence of the disease among the participants. In Fiji, 71% of children had been infected by the age of four, while 51% of children in Indonesia had contracted dengue by the same age, putting them at greater risk for severe second infections.
The researchers also observed that settlements with more frequent flooding had lower rates of dengue. This could be due to floodwaters destroying mosquito breeding sites. However, in areas with poor waste management, flooding may create additional breeding grounds for mosquitoes, potentially increasing the number of dengue cases.
The findings emphasize the need for improved trash management and flood mitigation to control dengue and other diseases spread by mosquitoes. By addressing these environmental factors, communities can significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, helping to protect public health and the environment.
