"Improving the health status of underserved populations through sustainable and comprehensive research, service and educational initiatives related to infectious diseases."

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Dengue fever is a prevalent virus affecting humans (man is the main reservoir) and other mammals in tropical/subtropical areas.  It is transmitted human to human by a species of mosquito Aedes sp., but there are other possible vectors.  They can transmit either immediately by a change of host or via an incubation period of 8-10 days where the virus multiplies in the salivary glands.  Once infected, the host remains so for life. The mosquito larva that transmits Dengue exists in cleaner water storage containers that are typical in dry seasons and year round in general.  They can also sometimes be located in stagnated water that is characteristic of malaria vectors.

The viral sickness is characterized by several unique symptoms following an incubation period of approximately 5-8 days.  The first is called the “bone breaking fever” due to the severe bone and joint pain in the extremities.  It is usually sustained for 5-6 days at 39-40°C. Also typical of Dengue fever is the headache that is felt behind the eyes, photophobia, sore throat, altered taste sensation, abdominal tenderness, constipation, depression, and skin rash. Most people that contract this fever don’t die, but probably wish they were dead.

Blood samples

Another possibility is that they contract the hemorrhagic Dengue, which after a period of 2-3 days causes profuse bleeding from the orifices, from ruptured capillary beds, and results in death if not treated properly and promptly. This is a strain from two schools of thought. The first is that it is a completely unique strain of Dengue.  The other theory is that it is due to the combination of serotypes 1 and 4 (serotype 1 from a first infection and serotype 4 from reinfection or vise versa).

In the places we have visited, such as Puyo and Archidona, I have witnessed multiple stories and statistics about Dengue.  From this I know that like most other tropical diseases common to this region, it is a huge socioeconomic problem.  Dengue is also similar to other tropical diseases in that it is the direct result of poverty.  Even though it is a well-known disease and prevention is possible through education and simple precautions, it is not possible unless resources are available.  In most cases in Ecuador poverty is a problem, and for tropical and subtropical regions this means prevalent tropical disease will also be a problem.  This equates to less work, less money, deceased mothers, fathers, and children, and a huge ripple effect of problems that cannot exist if a country is to build a stable infrastructure.

Health services required by Ecuadorian law to be free of charge