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Did you know that India is home to a whopping 4151 mosquito species? It's bizarre to believe that these tiny creatures pose such a big threat to our health. Mosquitoes are dangerous and capable of transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis. Shockingly, every year, 40 million people in India are affected by mosquito-borne illnesses, with malaria being the most common. These statistics highlight the importance of taking proper measures to protect yourself from these tiny threats! Hence to raise awareness about the threat of mosquito bites, World Mosquito Day is observed every year on Aug 20.
In this blog, you will learn about World Mosquito Day including its history, theme and purpose. Let’s begin.
World Mosquito Day: Time Gone by
World Mosquito Day is celebrated in memory of Sir Ronald Ross, a British Doctor who discovered that the female Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria on August 20, 1897. Dr. Ronald Ross named this day as ‘Mosquito Day’. This was the first time a doctor established a connection between a mosquito and malaria. This discovery helped find a prevention and treatment for the disease.
Significance of World Mosquito Day
This day is observed to eradicate malaria and save millions of lives. The main purpose behind spreading World Mosquito Day awareness is to,
- Educate people about the dangers of malaria and the global burden of vector-borne diseases.
- Help fight mosquitos to control the mosquito population and prevent disease threats.
- Raise funding and promote disease control measures like vaccination and insect repellents.
- Control the outbreak of diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, etc.
- Celebrate the contribution of researchers, health workers and people working for the cause of a world without mosquitoes.
World Mosquito Day 2024 Theme
The World Mosquito Day theme 2024 is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”. This year’s theme stresses the need to address the gaps in accessing malaria prevention, detection and treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and save many lives.
Malaria: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Malaria is the most common yet deadly vector-borne disease caused by a bite from an infected mosquito through which a parasite enters your bloodstream. It is a parasitic disease that is more common in tropical regions with hot and humid climates such as Africa and South Asia.
When a mosquito bites a person infected with malaria, it becomes infected. This infected mosquito can then spread the parasite to a healthy person through its bite, thus spreading the disease.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of malaria may be similar to the symptoms of flu and start appearing 10 to 30 days after the infection. Here are some common signs of malaria.
- Fever with chills
- Headache and muscle ache
- Chest Pain
- Tiredness
- Cough and breathing problem
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
In severe cases, malaria can lead to a patient’s death and in some cases, parasites live in the body for years and do not show any signs.
How to Prevent Malaria?
Prevention mainly involves avoiding mosquito bites. To protect yourself from mosquito bites,
- Apply mosquito-repellent creams to your skin and use mosquito-repellent devices inside the house.
- Cover yourself fully
- Use nets on window screens to prevent the entry of mosquitoes inside the house
- Since the malaria vaccine has been introduced, get young children vaccinated to protect them against malaria infection.
Malaria Treatment
The main treatment includes antimalarial drugs and medication to manage symptoms such as fever, headache, and chest pain. Medicines are prescribed based on the type of parasite causing the infection. It is important to avoid self-medication.
Summing Up
On World Mosquito Day, it is important to understand the impact and burden of mosquito-borne diseases. Access to preventive measures and health care is essential for individuals and communities to stop the spread of the disease. In addition to health care, an affordable health insurance plan is also necessary to protect against medical expenses.
Looking for health insurance that covers you against vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue? Look no further! Care Health Insurance offers comprehensive plans that ensure access to healthcare services and safeguard you from the risk of getting a mosquito-borne illness. Contact our team today to find the perfect plan for you!
>> Also Read: What is Malaria know its Prevention and Treatment
Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.
