Challenges and prospects for dengue and malaria control in Thailand, Southeast Asia.
Despite significant advances in the search for potential dengue vaccines and new therapeutic schemes for malaria, the control of these diseases remains difficult. In Thailand, malaria incidence is falling whereas that of dengue is rising, with an increase in the proportion of reported severe cases. In the absence of antiviral therapeutic options for acute dengue, appropriate case management reduces mortality. However, the interruption of transmission still relies on vector control measures that are currently insufficient to curtail the cycle of epidemics. Drug resistance in malaria parasites is increasing, compromising malaria control and elimination. Deficiencies in our knowledge of vector biology and vectorial capacity also hinder public health efforts for vector control. Challenges to dengue and malaria control are discussed, and research priorities identified.
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle (IRD 224-CNRS 5290 UM1-UM2), Montpellier Cedex 5, France; Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Rd, Ladyaow Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand. Electronic address: vincent.corbel@ird.fr.
Vincent
V
Corbel
Francois
F
Nosten
Kanutcharee
K
Thanispong
Christine
C
Luxemburger
Monthathip
M
Kongmee
Theeraphap
T
Chareonviriyaphap
D000818:Animals; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006801:Humans; D007300:Insect Control; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
Thailand; control; dengue; drugs; insecticides; malaria; resistance; vectors