INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY, BANGLADESH

School of Life Science

Department of Microbiology

ASSIGNMENT
BIO102
 Biology and Society
Submitted to:
Dr. Syed A K Shifat
Assistant Professor
School of Life Science
Submitted by:
G.M Sayem Ahamed (2022594)

Date of Submission: 10/04/2020

  Q1- What is dengue? How is the dengue virus
transmitted?

Ans:
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an
infected female Aedes mosquito. It’s a single positive-stranded
RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus. It’s a
severe flu-like illness and sometimes causing a potentially lethal
complication called severe dengue.
The dengue virus (DEN) comprises four serotypes-
1. DEN-1
2. DEN-2
3. DEN-3
4. DEN-4
(DEN-2 and DEN-3 are frequently associated with severe diseases
accompanying secondary dengue infection)
Dengue transmission: Dengue is spread through bite of female
mosquito (Aedes aegypti or Ae. albopictus)
Aedes aegypti is a daytime feeder. Its peak biting periods are
early in the morning and in the evening before dusk.
Dengue can’t be spread directly from person to person. A
person infected and suffering from dengue can infect other
mosquitoes.
It can transmit by taking blood of an infected person.
Some finding supports the possibility that dengue virus is
capable of being transmitted sexually. (Source: Medscape)
  Q2- What is dengue shock syndrome? What happens
when someone suffers from it?

Ans: Dengue shock syndrome, also known as Dengue

hemorrhagic fever (DHF). It is a dangerous complication of
dengue infection and is associated with high mortality. In most
of the cases, children under 15 years constitute 90% of dengue
hemorrhagic patients.
Those who suffers from dengue shock syndrome face
symptoms such as-
- Severe and continuous pain in abdomen
- Bleeding from nose, mouth and gums or skin bruising
- Frequent vomiting with or without blood
- Black stools, like coal tar
- Excessive thirst (dry mouth)
- Pale, cold skin
- Restlessness, or sleepiness
- Weak rapid pulse
- Narrow pulse pressure (less than 20 mm Hg)
- Cold, clammy skin and restlessness
  Q3- What are the tests recommended by doctors for
dengue?

Ans: To detect the presence of the dengue virus in the blood,

one needs to undergo definitive tests recommended by
doctors.
- Dengue NS1 Antigen
This test detects dengue virus early in the course of an
infection. This test doesn’t differentiate between different
dengue serotypes
- Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
This test looks for antibodies in the blood, which appear in
the early course of the disease.
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
This test is used to detect infection in the later course of
the disease because the level of IgG in blood tends to
increase slowly. To distinguish between primary and
secondary dengue infections, IgG/IgM ratio test is
commonly used.
- Dengue RNA PCR test
This test is mainly used to not only detect dengue virus in
the early course of the infection but also helps to identify
between different dengue serotypes. This test is not
available everywhere.
(Source: Times of India)
  Q4- What should you do to limit the spread of dengue?

Ans: To limit the spread of dengue we need to clean our area

we live in. This is the most important part because if the
environment is clean Aedes mosquitoes can’t reproduce them
as they lay eggs in water-filled containers, and in other places
where water is clotted, not moving. So, we can limit the spread
of dengue by cleaning up the environment.
To protect ourselves from mosquito bites we can use EPA-
registered mosquito repellent like DEET. We can wear long
sleeves and long pants. Also we can treat clothes with
repellents like permethrin.
In our society all of us can’t afford mosquito repellents or a
hygienic place to live. So, we, who can afford to help them in
our society, we need to come forward.

In Singapore, scientists are breeding special mosquitoes. They

artificially infected mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria. In the
wild, the lab-raised males mate with females, producing eggs
that don’t hatch. In this way spread of dengue can be stopped.
In our country we should follow this path to limit the spread.
(Source: South China Morning Post)
  Q4- Write a short note on the 2019 dengue outbreak in
Bangladesh.

Ans: According to IEDCR-

Dengue case reported- 101354
Deaths- 164

Image 1: 2019 Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh

In 2019 Bangladesh grappled with a record dengue fever

outbreak. The total count of hospitalization is the highest yearly
till now. The number was highest in August, 2019.
Dengue is still a problem not only in Bangladesh but also to the whole world. It’s
better to aware public as most people in our country can’t afford costly
treatments.