Managing Mozzies

The Pacific Regional Vector Borne
Disease Project

Case Study

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Introduction

Vector borne diseases are diseases carried by insects (vectors) which feed on blood, such as mosquitoes. When the insects bite humans they inject a microscopic pathogen (a disease causing agent ). When other mosquitoes bite an infected human, the mosquito then develops the parasite in their own body within 1 - 3 weeks. The mosquitoes then carry this to other humans they bite.

In the Pacific region, where over 75% of Pacific Islanders live in rural environments, they are particularly vulnerable to vector born diseases. In Solomon Islands and Vanuatu for example, malaria is a major health problem with 45% and 20 % of the populations respectively, suffering from the disease. It is the leading cause of death in children aged 0 - 4 years.

Vector Borne Disease Targets in the Pacific

Malaria

Malaria is caused when the human body is bitten by an infected mosquito. The parasite from the mosquito travels to the person's liver where it multiplies into about 40,000 new parasites after about 5 days. These invade the blood stream, releasing toxins causing fever. The first attack usually occurs about 2 weeks after being bitten. The type of mosquito that transmits malaria only bites during the night. People can protect themselves by sleeping under mosquito nets.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever are caused by a virus carried by a day-biting mosquito. Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is the severe form of the disease in which white blood cells leak into the veins causing bleeding of the gums, nose and into the gut. The type of mosquito that transmits dengue fever bites only during the day. Dengue mosquito larvae are found exclusively in artificial containers in and around houses. So the best way to prevent dengue in a community is to eliminate these breeding sites.

Filariasis

Filariasis is a worm infection. The worm develops in the human body after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The larvae passes from the mosquito into the human lymph system. It takes 6 -12 months to develop into worms. The female worms then release other larvae into the person's bloodstream.

Through the Pacific Regional Vector Borne Disease Project (1996-2000), the governments of Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and subsequently other Pacific islands are receiving substantial aid from the Australian Government to reduce the incidence of these diseases. A budget of approximately $A9.4 million will assist them in their efforts to :

1. reduce the number of people becoming ill and dying from vector borne diseases;
2. prevent and control the incidence and spread of vector borne diseases.

The problems the project aims to address include:

• shortages of trained personnel;
• lack of diagnostic and treatment equipment, especially blood analysis equipment in laboratories;
• the need for community based integrated health services and increased community awareness and education about disease prevention;
• lack of information and understanding about the biology, habitats and behaviour of the mosquitoes and how to control transmission locally and regionally;
• lack of effective annual plans, national strategies and surveillance and epidemic alert systems.

Development Strategy

The Pacific Regional Vector Borne Disease Project is managed by the South Pacific Commission based in Noumea, New Caledonia and funded by AusAID. The approach of the Australian Government within the project has three tiers:

1. Technical assistance

   a. laboratory support
   b. research, surveillance and monitoring systems of the diseases

2. Training of personnel

   a. clinical, laboratory services
   b. health administrators who need to create local- national -regional plans and strategies

3. Provision of equipment and supplies

Community Based Action

Problem solving with local communities is essential to prevention and control of these diseases. As part of the Pacific Regional Vector Borne Disease Project in Vanuatu, the Department of Health with the Port Vila Municipal Council have undertaken a clean-up campaign to dispose of sources where dengue-carrying mosquitoes will breed. This campaign encourages residents to be involved in a roadside council collection of discarded cans, utensils, car tyres and coconut shells etc.