Researchers say tiny creatures may curb dengue fever

Researchers say tiny creatures may curb dengue fever

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Singapore

Water-borne creatures described as "natural- born killers" might reduce the number of people contracting dengue fever after successful trials in Vietnam, delegates at a World Health Organization (WHO) forum learned Wednesday.

Researchers from Singapore's Environment Ministry are studying how these one-millimeter-long creatures, called mesocyclops, can be used to kill mosquito larvae breeding in stagnant water in the city- state, which has experienced a dengue resurgence along with other countries in Southeast Asia.

Brian Kay, head of the Mosquito Control Laboratory at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, said the method has been used successfully in Vietnam.

The creatures, found in reservoirs and lakes, reproduce every three days and feed off mosquito larvae, bacteria and algae.

"Each can kill about 30 to 40 larvae a day," Kay told The Straits Times. "The larvae is food for them, but they are also natural-born killers."

A trial completed in northern Vietnam involved 11,500 households and 50,000 people living in six communities, Kay said.

The creatures ate up all the larvae in four of the communities and the two others had a success rate of 99.7 percent, he added.

"Before, dengue larvae could be found in at least one water container in each household," Kay was quoted as saying.

WHO estimated total dengue fever cases at between 50 million to 100 million annually with the cost of treatment amounting to millions of dollars.

A recent study of 1,068 children in Singapore showed most had been exposed to dengue while outside their homes.

The disease is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Symptoms include fever, joint aches, headaches, rash and vomiting. The more severe hemorrhagic fever can kill.