Yucatán signs international agreement to combat dengue, chikungunya and zika

DETROIT, Mich. — On Sunday February 7th, in the city of Detroit, Yucatan Governor Rolando Zapata Bello signed with the authorities of the Institute for International Health and the College of Natural Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), and the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), an agreement to implement control strategies to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito, carrier and transmitter of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika.

MSU is ranked as one of the top 50 universities in the world in the field of applied research, and particularly developed and created strategies for the control of this species in recent years, aimed at the elimination of the transmission factor in these insects.

Zhiyong Xi, Doctor of Medical Entomology and graduate in Molecular Microbiology and Immunity at John Hopkins University, whose strategies have been implemented in eight countries including China, Australia and the United States, represents MSU as the leader of this project.

The implementation of this project in Yucatán will allow the reduction of the mosquito population and their ability to transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika, in the medium term.

Meanwhile, a staff of researchers from UADY, through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the Institute of Regional Research “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi ” developed biological control strategies related to the life cycle of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

During the signing of the agreement, Zapata Bello stressed that for his government, applied research and innovation are the keystones to solve current public health problems, and detect new areas of opportunity.

Yucatecan authorities and MSU respresentatives recalled that, for several years now, an important relationship mainly in the field of medicine has been established between them. And this relationship has now consolidated in a stronger and more far-reaching international strategic alliance, based on science research and investigation.

On behalf of Michigan State University, the agreement was signed by chancellor of the College of Medicine, Dr. William Strampel; Associate of the College of Natural Sciences, Dr. David Dewitt, and the director of the International Institute of Health, Dr. William Cunningham. On behalf of the State Government of Yucatán, the agreement was signed by governor Rolando Zapata Bello. On behalf of UADY, it was signed by the General Coordinator of Cooperation and Internationalization, Dr. Andres Aluja Schunemann.

Source: sipse.com