Lessons From A Senegalese Village

"It might be dengue!", she said, "You should get tested."

In a way, she was right. By being tested, I could join the ranks of those who were being tested and become a part of the legion of statistics for dengue fever testing in Trinidad and Tobago. But I'm pretty sure it's not dengue. And if it is dengue, the treatment is... pretty much the same as any other virus. Don't believe me? Read what the folks at the Center of Disease Control have to say about dengue. That so many people in Trinidad and Tobago don't know the facts regarding dengue is a demonstrable failure of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the media and all those in between these institutions and the public. Of course, if you can read, have internet access and can think in a reasonably rational way, the mosquito plagued world is a little less scary.

That's why when Ken Banks, founder of Kiwanja.net, posted an article about malaria being eradicated in a Senegaliese village, I was quite interested. If you read 'Senegalese Village Wipes Out Malaria With Mosquito Nets And Fines For Not Using Them', you might find it interesting the measures taken to assure malaria wasn't spread: the village policed the individuals, fining them if they didn't use their nets (and using the money for transportation and treatment of those that became sick). 

In the context of Trinidad and Tobago, one has to wonder whether the country really needs to police the individuals. But if individuals were policed, it would be likely that there would be less litter clogging drains and creating stagnant water. And if people were properly informed - or educated - about the mosquitoes and how to avoid their spread... one would think that things wouldn't reach feverish proportions.

Sure, the government can be blamed for some of it - but what about individual responsibility? What about assuring that the conditions for dengue are eradicated? If it can happen in a Senegalese village regarding malaria, why can't it happen in Trinidad and Tobago regarding dengue? 

As for my own sore throat and malaise, I'll force fluids and try to sweat it out - with some rest in between. There's no need for me to clutter up a medical system that could save itself from clutter from better communication and education with the public and better cross ministry efficacy (name a Ministry that couldn't do better!).

And if you see a mosquito, consider killing it.

Image credit: Dr Relling allowed use of the picture via this Creative Commons License.