Proposal

= Technology Design Project Proposal =

**Insect Protection from the Dengue Fever**
//**Background:**// The Dengue fever is an infectious viral disease that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease affects more than 150 countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Jamaica, Singapore, the Caribbean, South Pacific, and many more tropical climates. Symptoms of the Dengue fever include headache, fever, exhaustion, dangerously low blood pressure, joint pains and severe rashes on the skin. = = The fever occurs when a human is bitten by an infected mosquito carrying the virus. However, infection typically affects those with a weaker immune system. The Dengue Virus has increased dramatically since the 1960's and 50-100 million people are affected by it every year

Since the Dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no solution/antibiotic or medicine to cure it. The only way citizens can avoid being bitten by this insect is to avoid going outside which is impossible for many people. Also, in less privileged countries, many jobs are dependent on labor work which is dominantly outside. Though Dengue repellant sprays are available to purchase, many poor families cannot afford to purchase them, and they are not 100% effective. In some cases, the dengue fever is life threatening because in countries where there are small healthcare facilities and clinics,there isn't enough room to support the high volume of patients who line up to get the vaccination that helps to ward off the disease. Another problem associated with the disease is the impact it has on educational institutions. Often when Dengue fever has plague a region in an infected countries measures are taken to protect students. However, students are kept away from school for weeks at a time because the facilities are not equipped with proper screens and air conditioning that will keep the bugs away.
 * //Problem://**

//**Possible Solution:**// The goal is to find the __best__ way to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito while taking heed to concerns of creating an effective, self-sustaining solution with low costs and global availability.

The Users:

//**Methods:**// or "Cool Huts" || Air Conditioned Shelter || * design a hut, that is either naturally air conditioned or has energy efficient air conditioning that will keep bugs out and trap cool air in.
 * **Design** || **Category** || **__Description__** || **Advantages** || **Disadvantages** ||
 * Anti-mosquito Detergent || Repellent (Applied Substance) || * Design a detergent so that they can wash their clothes and keep the mosquitoes from biting people.
 * The detergent can have a certain smell which is deadly to mosquitoes so they avoid it.
 * Ingredients in this detergent cannot harm people. || * Global reach and distribution is high.
 * Use is high, everyone understands how to wash clothes.
 * Ease of use, portable. || * Possible concerns about production costs.
 * How long does effects of detergent last on clothing? ||
 * Anti-mosquito Apparel || Repellent (Applied Clothing) || * Design clothes with material that would keep the bugs away but not release toxins that would harm people who wear them.
 * Multi-climate, breathable material can be worn under clothes at all times during the 'Dengue' season.
 * Clothing material must be thin but something in which the mosquitoes cannot get inside (possibly a 'one-piece' jumpsuit type thing) || * Global reach and distribution is high.
 * Use is high, everyone understands how to wear clothes.
 * Ease of use, portable. || * We must keep in mind the weather conditions (it might be hot and people won't want to wear 2 layers of clothing')
 * Possible concerns about production costs.
 * Is clothing durable? How long does it last before it requires replacement? ||
 * Solar-Powered Audio Mosquito Repellent || Repellent (External Device) || * Design an external apparatus which utilizes audio to repel mosquitoes.
 * Solar panels attached to the repeller gathers energy to charge a battery which powers the audio emitter. The emitter produces a unique sound or frequency which repels mosquitoes within the vicinity.
 * Lamps would be attached to an elevated pole and placed strategically amongst environments or villages requiring protection from the insects. || * The solution is self-powered
 * Minimal maintenance (inspection and maintenance when required). || * Possible concerns about production costs.
 * Concerns about the number of devices required to adequately protect a small village vs densely populated areas.
 * Ease of use, may not be portable. ||
 * Solar-Powered Mosquito Lamp || Elimination (External Device) || * Design an external apparatus which utilizes light to attract and kill mosquitoes.
 * Solar panels attached to the lamp gathers energy to charge a battery which powers fluorescent or UV (black-light) light bulb. The lighting attracts mosquitoes within the vicinity and kills them upon contact to the light source.
 * Lamps would be attached to an elevated pole and placed strategically amongst environments or villages requiring protection from the insects. || * The solution is self-powered
 * Minimal maintenance (replacement of light bulbs twice/year). || * Possible concerns about production costs.
 * Concerns about the number of devices required to adequately protect a small village vs densely populated areas.
 * Ease of use, may not be portable. ||
 * Energy Effecient "Cool Zones"
 * During epidemic seasons, they will serve as shelters for students in schools during recess or break.
 * Or can be used as emergency stop shelters during disease seasons for the public sphere.
 * Strategically built in reasons with high infections || * Cool temperatures keep bugs away.
 * No chemicals needed in design
 * Not harmful to environment
 * Helps to facilitate functioning of public institutions during epidemic season || * How would we decide where these huts will be built.
 * Not sure if naturally air conditioned methods would be enough to keep the bugs way.
 * Normal air conditioning costs too much ||
 * Chemical Repellent Screens || Protective Bug Screens || * chemically sprayed nets designed to keep mosquitoes from getting into open buildings.
 * || * minimize bugs from entering public institution and homes with open windows
 * not only will the nets keep the bugs out
 * but the chemical spray repellent will also kill them || * cost of production
 * release of toxins from chemicals into homes and the enivronment ||

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/11/nation/20120211160635&sec=nation - The health ministry of Malaysia puts a Dengue warning on high alert because of the 480 cases reported just last week - "A total of 2,765 cases and 11 deaths have been reported from Jan 1 todate which is higher than the 2,726 cases and six deaths for the same period last year."
 * //References and News Articles about the issue://**

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2012/02/who-warns-of-increased-dengue-fever-risk/ - The World Health Organization (WHO) warns people in Kenya about the rising issue of the Dengue Virus - WHO currently estimates that there may be about 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C02%5C12%5Cstory_12-2-2012_pg11_4 - In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the government has decided to spray the whole city with an anti-dengue repellant because of the rising concern of the Dengue Virus.

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/02/04/204055_local-news.html - tests are done on Dengue mosquitoes to find a repellant

"Dengue Fever: Lahore Schools Shut for 10 Days." //The News International: Latest, Breaking, Pakistan, Sports and Video News //. 2011. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

Beatty, Mark, Shepard, Donald and Jose Suaya. “Dengue: Burden Of Disease And Costs Of Illness’’. //Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, 1-5//(2006) : Web. 8 March 2012. < http://www.tropika.net/review/061001-Dengue_Burden_of_disease/article.pdf>.

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