Context:
Yamuna river water that led to viral diseases (dengue and conjunctivitis) in Delhi had breached the ‘danger’ mark recently.
About Dengue:
- A mosquito-borne tropical disease
- Caused by – virus
- Transmission – To humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes (primarily Aedes aegypti)
- No specific treatment for dengue
- Approved Vaccine – Dengvaxia
- Wolbachia Control Method –
- Mosquito Infection: Scientists infected mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria.Population Replacement Strategy: Modified mosquitoes were released to interbreed with local mosquitoes, spreading Wolbachia.
- Dengue Incidence Reduction: After 27 months, areas with Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes saw a 77% drop in dengue cases.
Dengvaxia vaccine in children 9 through 16 years old with laboratory-confirmed evidence of a previous dengue virus infection and living in areas where dengue is common.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (transparent membrane) that covers the eyelid and eyeball which causes the eyes to appear reddish or pink. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or by allergies.
Click here to read about River Yamuna
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
‘Wolbachia method’ is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes
(b) Converting crop residues into packing material
(c) Producing biodegradable plastics
(d) Producing biochar from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass
