Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes of the
Aedes family (predominantly
Aedes aegypti). It has a world-wide distribution, including northern Australia where it has been introduced. The symptoms of dengue fever include fever, rash, digestive upset, fatigue, and often severe bone and muscle pain. Most cases are mild to moderate. However sometimes dengue haemorrhagic fever or other complications occur, which can be life-threatening. As populations increase in tropical regions in Australia, and as climate change increases the range of the carrier mosquitoes, dengue fever has potential to grow as a serious health issue in Australia. Dengue fever is a notifiable disease, and there were 318 cases of it in Australia in 2007.
[1,2]
NHMRC funding for dengue fever research
In the period 2004-09, NHMRC contributed nearly $5.9 million to Australian research into dengue fever.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Expenditure ($)
391,825
377,475
967,841
832,570
1,839,192
1,462,377
Number of Active Grants
3
3
7
7
9
7
Number of Researchers Involved
People Support Grants
0
0
2
2
4
4
Research Support - Project Grants
2
0
3
1
2
0
Research Support - No of Researchers
6
6
12
12
18
14
Some NHMRC-funded research projects into dengue fever
Novel use of fungal entomopathogens for sustainable control of mosquito-borne viruses
Chief Investigator
Dr Matthew B Thomas, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Mosquito-born viruses such as dengue, Ross River and Barmah Forest are increasing in regional significance. At a broader scale, an estimated 2.5 billion people live in areas at risk of epidemic dengue transmission. Chemical insecticides are the mainstay of current mosquito control throughout many parts of the world. However, problems of insecticide resistance, environmental contamination and risks to human health, mean that chemical pesticides have not provided a universal solution, either as outdoor sprays, residual house sprays or as insecticide treated nets. This creates a pressing need for practical alternatives. Building on approaches and technologies developed for control of locusts in Australia and Africa, we have recently discovered that the ability of mosquitoes to transmit malaria can be substantially reduced with insect fungal pathogens used as biological pesticides. We found that exposure to biopesticide-treated surfaces reduced the number of mosquitoes able to transmit malaria 80-fold. Other supporting data from semi-field trials confirm the feasibility of infecting mosquitoes under real field conditions. Together, these results represent a significant advance in the development of a cheap and sustainable biological alternative to chemical insecticides for disease control. We now wish to extend this research to explore the potential for use of fungal pathogens in control of mosquito-borne viruses. Preliminary studies already confirm that we can infect the key mosquito species responsible for transmitting dengue. The aim of the current project is to conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of a wider range of fungal isolates to identify strains with the greatest potential to stop transmission of mosquito-borne viruses. The longer term goal is to translate this research into a practical product. Such a product would offer a cheap, environmentally friendly disease control measure, with reduced potential for resistance evolution.
NHMRC Project Grant
Molecular characterization of Dengue virus fusion and antiviral inhibitors
Chief Investigator
Associate Professor Paul R Young, University of Queensland
Dengue viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause major epidemics in more than 100 countries around the world, including Australia. Infection with dengue viruses cause severe and sometimes fatal disease. This proposal focuses on the way dengue virus enters cells and the development of drugs that will prevent virus entry. We have already identified compounds that inhibit the entry process of dengue into cells and this project will significantly build on these early findings.
NHMRC Project Grant
Assessing the impact of climate change on the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases in Australia
Chief Investigator
Dr Wenbiao Hu, University of Queensland
Global climate change has potentially serious effects on the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs). Bayesian spatiotemporal models will be developed to explore the underlying mechanisms of the current distribution of MBDs and to forecast future changes in pattern of these diseases. The model will be useful in examining where and when MBDs are likely to occur and how the future MBDs control strategies and prevention efforts need to be applied and strengthened in Australia.
Training Fellowship – Public Health Fellowship
Sources
-
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2008. Australia’s health 2008. Cat. no. AUS 99. Canberra: AIHW.
-
Queensland Government. Dengue Fever. Accessed on 28 October 2009.
