World Mosquito Day: Working to Increase Awareness of the Importance of Mosquito Control
The whine of a mosquito may be the most annoying sound on earth and if you’re in a zone where mosquitoes transmit disease, it can also be a dangerous one. Where did they come from and what do we know about them?
World Mosquito Day originated in 1897 by Dr. Ronald Ross of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. After dissecting mosquitoes known to have fed on a patient with malaria, Ross discovered the malaria parasite in the stomach wall of the mosquito. Through further research using malarious birds, Ross was able to ascertain the entire life cycle of the malarial parasite, including its presence in the mosquito's salivary glands. Ross confirmed that malaria is transmitted from infected birds to healthy ones by the bite of a mosquito, a finding that suggested the disease’s mode of transmission to humans. For his findings, Ross is credited with the discovery of the transmission of malaria by the mosquito, and was honoured with a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1902
Currently, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide each year, and more than one million people die, most of them young children in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism, and afflict not only humans, but animals as well. In addition, Zika Virus has infected millions in the Western Hemisphere over the past few years and now threatens the United States.
AMCA Technical Advisor, Joe Conlon states, “Mosquitoes remain the number one killer of humans on this planet. As humans come into increasing contact with exotic diseases as travel, trade and tourism proliferate, we would do well to appreciate the vital role mosquito control efforts play in keeping our children, families and communities safe from preventable disease.”
“The world needs mosquito control. Without it, human health, human food supplies, and overall human welfare would be unrecognisably poor.” Jason Kinley, President of the American Mosquito Control Association
Narrowing down to Africa, Malaria continues to be a major public health burden across the continent. In 2016, Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes were detected for the first time in Ethiopia, following earlier reports from neighbouring Djibouti. Anopheles stephensi is native to south and west Asia, where this species mainly breeds in man made water containers. The recent dispersal of this malaria vector species, which is adapted for both rural and urban environments, into the Horn of Africa is a new cause for concern
The number of pregnant women and children in sub-Saharan Africa sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets and benefiting from preventive medicine for malaria has increased significantly in recent years, according to the World Health Organization’s World malaria report 2019.
However, accelerated efforts are needed to reduce infections and deaths in the hardest-hit countries, as progress stalls. Last year, malaria afflicted 228 million people and killed an estimated 405 000, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa
According to the WHO, malaria happens when someone is bitten by a mosquito that is infested with parasite plasmodium. There are four different types of malaria that can infect humans: Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum. The fourth one is the most dangerous one, with high risk of death for the patient.
PROGRESS IN MALARIA-ELIMINATING COUNTRIES
According to the World Malaria Report 2019, progress in many high burden countries has stalled, a growing number of countries with a low burden of malaria are moving quickly towards the goal of zero malaria. In 2018, 27 countries reported less than 100 cases of malaria, up from 17 countries in 2010. At least 10 countries that are part of WHO’s “E-2020 initiative” are on track to reach the 2020 elimination milestone of the global strategy. The latest progress report on the “E-2020” initiative is available here.
Globally, a total of 38 countries and territories have been certified malaria-free by WHO. WHO grants the certification when a country proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous transmission of malaria has been interrupted for at least 3 consecutive years. The full list of countries can be found here.
HOW CAN SOMEONE PREVENT THEMSELVES FROM MOSQUITO BITES?
The most effective way to avoid getting sick from viruses spread by mosquitoes when at home and during travel is to prevent mosquito bites.
Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy. They can spread viruses that make you sick or, in rare cases, cause death. Although most kinds of mosquitoes are just nuisance mosquitoes, some kinds of mosquitoes in the United States and around the world spread viruses that can cause disease.
Mosquitoes bite during the day and night, live indoors and outdoors, and search for warm places as temperatures begin to drop. Some will hibernate in enclosed spaces, like garages, sheds, and under (or inside) homes to survive cold temperatures
USE INSECT REPELLENT: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women
COVER UP: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
KEEP MOSQUITOES OUTSIDE: Use air conditioning, or window and door screens. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
Let’s use this day as an opportunity to raise awareness and shine a spotlight on ongoing efforts in the fight against the world’s deadliest creature