The COVID-19 pandemic should not jeopardize dengue control

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Sep 23;14(9):e0008716. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008716. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Abstract

The concurrent circulation of dengue and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may produce many unfavourable outcomes-such as co-infections; delays in diagnosis, treatment, and mitigation measures; overwhelming of the healthcare system; underreporting of cases; deterioration in surveillance and control interventions; and exacerbation of social inequalities. Indeed, lockdown is greatly compromising the effectiveness of vector control, especially social mobilization campaigns and preventive insecticide spraying in private spaces (indoor and peridomestic spraying). Thus, failure to appropriately implement the full range of vector control interventions can lead to a reduction in their overall effectiveness and an increasing risk of vector-borne diseases circulating. Consequently, the health community and policy makers should develop proactive policies and allocate adequate resources to prevent and manage the resurgence of dengue and other vector-borne diseases in the new era of COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Dengue / epidemiology*
  • Dengue / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Mosquito Control / methods*
  • Pandemics
  • Pest Control / methods
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Primary Prevention / methods*
  • Public Health
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Time-to-Treatment

Grants and funding

This assessment was conducted by the ad hoc working group “Emergency Collective Expertise Group—Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on dengue surveillance and vector control interventions” of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES).