World Mosquito Day: Be Aware of Deadly Diseases and Objective

Though mosquitoes are small in size, they are one of the deadliest insects in the world, causing many deaths globally. To increase awareness about the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases, World Mosquito Day is observed every year on August 20. World Mosquito Day is celebrated on this day to remember the famous British doctor Ronald Ross. It was he who found out that malaria was transmitted to human beings by female Anopheles mosquitoes.

On World Mosquito Day 2022, it is crucial for you to know about various harmful diseases caused by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes not only cause annoyance with their pesky buzzing and biting but also transmit a wide range of deadly infections. A tiny prick by a mosquito is enough for you to contract diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus infection.

It may alarm you to know that malaria will affect approximately 241 million people globally in 2020 [1]. Another astonishing fact is that dengue causes harm yearly to 390 million individuals worldwide [2].

When a mosquito feeds on the blood of any infected individual, it swallows parasites and viruses present in it. Unfortunately, these microorganisms are transmitted to the next person a mosquito bites. On this World Mosquito Day, learn about the harmful diseases mosquitoes spread and protect yourself and your loved ones from them.

Four Deadly Diseases be Aware of on World Mosquito Day:

1. Protect Yourself From Malaria

Female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit this disease caused by parasites. Though it is a life-threatening infection, you can cure and prevent it by following proper hygienic measures. With advancements in medical science, India drastically reduced the number of deaths caused by malaria from approximately 20 million to 6 million between 2000 and 2019 [3]. Further, reports state that 562 deaths in 2014 had been reduced to 63 deaths by 2020. This remarkable achievement is due to the implementation of eradication programs in India.

By observing World Mosquito Day, you can spread awareness about malaria and how it can affect your life. Being one of the most common tropical diseases, malaria shows different symptoms. While episodes of fever are common, here are a few other warning signs of malaria. On this World Mosquito Day, make sure you closely watch these symptoms. 

• Profuse sweating 
• Diarrhea 
• Frequent chills  
• Severe headaches 
• Extreme pain in the limbs 

The main reason for educating people about malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases this World Mosquito Day is to create awareness about the harm it causes. When left unchecked, malaria can affect your nervous system and cause paralysis. On this World Mosquito Day, learn about a few preventive measures such as using mosquito nets and preventing water stagnation that allows easy breeding of mosquitoes. Remember, prevention is better than cure!

2. Understand The Harmful Effects Of Dengue

While the microorganism that causes dengue is a virus, you contract it when a female Aedes aegypti mosquito bites you. Here are a few common symptoms of dengue that you need to know on this World Mosquito Day.  

• Pain in the joints 
• Rash 
• Fever 
• Body aches 
• Nausea 
• Headaches 
• Vomiting 

While these symptoms last for a week, there are chances for a few people to develop complications leading to internal bleeding and finally death. The year 2021 witnessed approximately 1.64 lakh dengue cases. However, the number reduced from 2.05 lakh cases in 2019. The drastic decrease is mainly due to the efforts taken by the Government of India. Many vector control measures have been adopted that helped minimize the incidence of this mosquito-borne disease. On World Mosquito Day 2022, take a vow to participate effectively in implementing preventive measures to protect yourself and your community from the threat of dengue.

3. Learn About Chikungunya

Like dengue, this is also a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. While there is no specific cure for chikungunya, giving proper rest to your body and taking adequate fluids can reduce its symptoms. Joint pain is the main symptom of chikungunya. This mosquito-borne disease is not life-threatening and you may see yourself improving within a week. However, joint pain can even last for years in some cases. On World Mosquito Day, here are the chikungunya symptoms you need to watch out for. 

• Excess fatigue 
• Sudden rise in body temperature 
• Skin rash 
• Severe headaches 
• Pain in the muscles and joints 

This infection shows similar characteristics to Zika disease and dengue and is often misdiagnosed. The chikungunya virus is widespread causing approximately 330,000 infections globally every year. While there is no vaccine for this condition, be aware of the following preventive measures this World Mosquito Day. 

• Eliminate stagnating water sites where mosquitoes can breed 
• Use natural insecticides to reduce the number of mosquitoes around you 
• Wear protective clothing to protect yourself from mosquito bites 
• Use organic mosquito repellents to prevent mosquitoes from attacking you  

4. Understand How Yellow Fever Affects Your Health

This is a viral hemorrhagic disease in which there is a continuous loss of blood from the affected blood vessels. Since one of its main symptoms includes the appearance of the yellowish color on the eyes and skin, it is called yellow fever. While most symptoms improve within a week, serious complications can cause death. On World Mosquito Day 2022, watch out for the following warning signs. 

• Fatigue 
• Severe back pain 
• Vomiting 
• Headaches 
• Fever  

As a preventive measure, the yellow fever vaccine is the most efficient to combat this mosquito-borne disease. 

World Mosquito Day 2022 Theme and Objectives 

Now that you know why World Mosquito Day is celebrated on August 20, here are a few objectives behind its observance.  

• Raising money for implementing anti-malaria eradication efforts 
• Working towards developing vaccines and research strategies  
• Learning about the harmful symptoms of mosquito-borne diseases 
• Encouraging people to educate themselves and their loved ones to follow preventive measures 

While the World Mosquito Day 2021 theme was ‘Reaching the zero malaria target,’ the World Mosquito Day 2022 theme is ‘Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.’ By observing World Mosquito Day, National Dengue Day, and World Malaria Day, you can inform yourself about symptoms to be aware of and take measures to curb the risk of infection.

Following preventive measures and proper hygiene can help control these infections. Be aware of warning signs and seek medical attention without delay. For any illnesses, contact reputed specialists on Bajaj Finserv Health. Book a doctor consultation and resolve your concerns. You can book an appointment via the app or website with a doctor of your choice and get advice without leaving home.