scholarly journals ‘Dengue: Australia’s other pandemic’

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A Rithchie

Pandemic dengue arrived in Australia in 2008-09. A large epidemic of Dengue Virus 3 (DENV-3) affected much of north Queensland, with over 900 cases and one death, in Cairns. This was accompanied by 18 imported viremic dengue cases into north Queensland from January to May 2009 and outbreaks of DENV-1, -2 and -4 in Townsville, Cairns and Innisfail, respectively. The virus was unique, with apparently shorter incubation periods, resulting in rapid transmission that exceeded the capacity of Queensland Health?s five-man dengue control team. Furthermore, potential pesticide resistance reduced the efficacy of some control measures. This unprecedented level of dengue activity has highlighted problems with the Dengue Fever Management Plan (DFMP), forcing the implementation of new interventions to control the epidemic. These included adoption of the Emergency Management Framework that allowed access to resources beyond those budgeted. New emergency teams conducted interior residual spraying and treating of containers in yards with methoprene and this was supplemented by SES volunteers, who delivered cans of surface spray to residents. This wide-ranging approach rapidly reduced transmission. Nonetheless, the presence of high populations of Ae. aegypti, that sustained epidemic transmission in much of north Queensland, highlights the need for the expansion of the DFMP to fund a comprehensive source reduction campaign. The incursion and establishment of the vectors Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus into eastern urban areas could dramatically increase the range of dengue transmission in Australia. Novel vector control measures, such as the use of life-shortening Wolbachia, offer the potential to eliminate dengue transmission in the future.

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 229-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalil H. Mancy

The pollution burden of river discharges in the Mediterranean far exceeds all other sources, e.g. land based sources. The main contributors are the Rhone, Po and Ebro. Contributions from the River Nile are expected to be much less than those from rivers in the European continent. Recent Nile management schemes and irrigation projects in Egypt are posing direct impacts on the Mediterranean. This includes the erosion of the Nile Delta and off-shore pollution due to wastewater discharges. In view of the prevailing circulation patterns in the Mediterranean, these impacts are dominant in the South Levantin region. Cutrent practices of river management do not necessarily include the protection of marine resources. Similarly, sea protection programs do not include pollution from sources in the river basin. Marine management programs are largely concerned with pollution loads at the points of river discharge. In the case of a land-locked sea, such as the Mediterranean, it is particularly important to integrate river basin management schemes in the sea protection program. Under a suitable management plan, it could be possible to determine main sources of sea pollution within the river basin. This should serve as the basis for the implementation of control measures, since the problem is not exclusively within the river basin.


Author(s):  
Perran Ross

Mosquitoes carrying endosymbiotic bacteria called Wolbachia are being released in mosquito and arbovirus control programs around the world. Open field releases of Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes have achieved over 95% population suppression, while the replacement of populations with Wolbachia-infected females is self-sustaining and can greatly reduce local dengue transmission. Despite many successful interventions, significant questions and challenges lie ahead. Wolbachia, viruses and their mosquito hosts can evolve, leading to uncertainty around the long-term effectiveness of a given Wolbachia strain, while few ecological impacts of Wolbachia releases have been explored. Wolbachia strains are diverse and the choice of strain to release should be made carefully, taking environmental conditions and the release objective into account. Mosquito quality control, thoughtful community awareness programs and long-term monitoring of populations are essential for all types of Wolbachia intervention. Releases of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes show great promise, but existing control measures remain an important way to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne disease.


1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 521-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Stock ◽  
R.A. Gorley

The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk., causes extensive mortality of lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., throughout western North America (Van Sickle 1982). The Prince Rupert Forest Region, in the northwest of British Columbia, initiated an aggressive beetle management program in 1981. Logging of infested stands, and winter felling and burning of individual infested trees are the most common direct control techniques.The “Bristol Lake” infestation developed in the Bulkley Forest District, approximately 55 km northwest of Smithers, B.C., on a steep rocky ridge within the valley of Harold Price Creek. The area contained large volumes of mature lodgepole pine, and control of the infestation was therefore considered critical to the local beetle management plan, but the size (50 ha) and rough topography of the infested area precluded normal direct control measures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-160
Author(s):  
Arjun C.P ◽  
Anoop V.K ◽  
Tijo K.J ◽  
Anoopkumar T.K ◽  
Roshnath R

Butterfly diversity was recorded from Nov (2013) - May (2014) in Pookode region. A total number of 128 species recorded from the five families; Nymphalidae (46 species) Lycaenidae (28 species), Hesperiidae (22 species), Pieridae (17 species) and Papilionidae (15 species) respectively. During the survey invasive plant species were also recorded. There were 36 species of invasive plants from 18 families identified from the study area. More butterflies were attracted towards nectar offering invasive plants. Chromolaena odorata, Ipomea cairica, Lantana camara, Merremia vitifolia, Mikania micrantha, Mimosa diplotricha, Pennisetumpolystachyon, Pteridium aquilinum, Quisqualis indica and Sphagneticola trilobata were the major invasive plants found in the Pookode region and their flower attracts butterfly for pollination. Even though nectar offered by the plants are supportive for growth, in long run these species can affect butterfly population bydeclining native host larval plant species for butterfly reproduction. Invasive species compete with the native flora and reduce its population. Management practices like physical, chemical and modern bio control measures could be used for eradicating of invasive plants. Wise use of invasive plants for other economical purpose such as bio-fuel, medicinal purpose, bio-pesticide and handicraft could be suggested. Successful management of invasive species are needed for conserving Lepidoptera fauna and other native biota of the area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Kändler ◽  
Ivar Annus ◽  
Anatoli Vassiljev ◽  
Raido Puust

Abstract Stormwater runoff from urban catchments is affected by the changing climate and rapid urban development. Intensity of rainstorms is expected to increase in Northern Europe, and sealing off surfaces reduces natural stormwater management. Both trends increase stormwater peak runoff volume that urban stormwater systems (UDS) have to tackle. Pipeline systems have typically limited capacity, therefore measures must be foreseen to reduce runoff from new developed areas to existing UDS in order to avoid surcharge. There are several solutions available to tackle this challenge, e.g. low impact development (LID), best management practices (BMP) or stormwater real time control measures (RTC). In our study, a new concept of a smart in-line storage system is developed and evaluated on the background of traditional in-line and off-line detention solutions. The system is operated by real time controlled actuators with an ability to predict rainfall dynamics. This solution does not need an advanced and expensive centralised control system; it is easy to implement and install. The concept has been successfully tested in a 12.5 ha urban development area in Tallinn, the Estonian capital. Our analysis results show a significant potential and economic feasibility in the reduction of peak flow from dense urban areas with limited free construction space.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Rodrigues de Araujo Teixeira ◽  
Oswaldo Gonçalves Cruz

This study analyzed the spatial distribution of dengue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2006, and associations between the incidence per 100,000 inhabitants and socio-environmental variables. The study analyzed reported dengue cases among the city's inhabitants, rainfall, Breteau index (for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), Gini index, and social development index. We conducted mapping and used the global Moran index to measure the indicators' spatial autocorrelation, which was positive for all variables. The generalized linear model showed a direct association between dengue incidence and rainfall, one-month rainfall time lag, Gini index, and Breteau index for A. albopictus. The conditional autoregressive model (CAR) showed a direct association with rainfall for four months of the year, rain time lag in July, and Gini index in February. The results demonstrate the importance of socio-environmental variables in the dynamics of dengue transmission and the relevance for the development of dengue control strategies.


Author(s):  
Bobby Fahmi Muldan Pahlevi ◽  
Tri Wulandari Kesetyaningsih

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Aedes aegypti chooses to live indoors and Ae. albopictus in outdoors. Aedes aegypti has been proven to play a role in dengue transmission in urban areas. It is assumed that suburbs dominated by gardens, so it is possible that Ae. albopictus acts as a vector. The study aimed to analyze the relationship between Ae. albopictus and DHF incidence in suburban area. The study was conducted in Godean, Sleman Regency. 280 ovitrap were placed indoors and outdoors at across seven villages. Each village was represented by one hamlet, so there were 40 ovitrap of each hamlet. The proportion of ovitrap containing Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae was calculated. The results showed that Ae. aegypti larvae was more indoors (78.50%) than outdoors (21.45%) in all villages and negatively correlates with DHF (p=0.036; r=-0.776). Aedes albopictus larvae is more commonly found in gardens (80.64%) than in homes (19.36%) and does not correlate with DHF (p = 0.702). It was concluded that in suburban endemic area of ​​Sleman Regency, Ae. aegypti larvae was more indoors and negatively correlated with DHF. Aedes albopictus larva was more in the garden and did not correlate with DHF incidence.


Author(s):  
Hans Tammemagi

Just as a general fights a battle with tanks, infantry, artillery, and air support, the campaign against waste also requires an arsenal of many weapons. Instead of relying solely on landfills, as has been done since time immemorial, the industry is developing an integrated waste management strategy. The objective is to minimize impact on the environment by employing all possible waste management technologies—especially reduction/reuse/recycling and incineration—in addition to landfills. An integrated waste management strategy is required by law in many jurisdictions and is now being used in most North American communities. Most U.S. states, for example, have made recycling mandatory and have established goals for reducing waste per capita by 25% to 50% over a period of four to ten years. In Canada, a comprehensive waste reduction plan established in the province of Ontario in 1991 has the goal of reducing the amount of waste going to disposal by at least 50% per capita by the year 2000, compared to the base year of 1987. The goal is to be achieved through implementing the “three Rs”: reduction (10%), reuse (15%), and recycling (25%). Some jurisdictions have set even higher goals; for example, Seattle is aiming to reduce waste going to landfill by 60% by the year 2000. An integrated waste management plan follows the life cycle of consumer products from cradle to grave, seeking to maximize the useful life of the resources that are involved. A complete suite of elements that might be used in an integrated waste management system is illustrated in Figure 4.1, although any municipality may utilize only some of these. 1. Source reduction: The objective is to reduce the amount of waste that is created in the first place. This can be accomplished in a number of ways: purchasing products with minimal packaging; developing products that are more durable and easily repaired; substituting reusable products for disposable single-use products; or implementing tax and other economic measures to encourage producers to generate less waste and use fewer resources. For source reduction to have a significant impact, society needs to turn away from the current consumer preference for once-through, disposable, and limited-life products.


Author(s):  
O. A. Lawal-Adebowle ◽  
A. K. Aromolaran

The study assessed the causal factors of land degradation in urban areas of Abeokuta and the employed control measures by residents of the communities. A qualitative approach, which encompasses observational techniques – participant/field observation, interactive discussion and photographic capturing, was used for collection of data on land degradation in the study area. Analysis of collected data showed land gradients, rainfall and run-offs, erosion, entrenched foot paths, sand scraping/mining, poor/absence of drainage system and land covers as causal factors of land degradation in the study area. The study though observed that control measures such as filling of drenches with sand bags, wood logs, bricks and stones were employed by residents in the study area, construction of good drainage system was presumed to be the most appropriate and sustainable control measure of water erosion in the study area.


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