Small bite, big threat:Preventing vector-borne diseases

Imagine the impact of small bites of the mosquitos. It can lead to death from some serious disease carried by the mosquito like malaria, dengue, yellow fever. Many people who survive these infections are left permanently debilitated, disfigured, maimed and carry the burden of huge economic loss.
Every year, a million people are killed by diseases that are carried by vectors including mosquito, ticks, flies, sandflies, fleas, bugs. These are called vector-borne diseases that include malaria, dengue, yellow fever, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, chagas disease, yellow fever, lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that one sixth of the illness and disability suffered worldwide is due to vector-borne diseases, with more than half the world’s population currently estimated to be at risk of these diseases.
World Health Day 2014 which is going to be observed tomorrow; WHO is highlighting the serious and increasing threat of these vector-borne diseases, with the slogan “Small bite, big threat”.
The organisation also emphasises that these diseases are entirely preventable. Newly published "A global brief on vector-borne diseases" outlines steps that governments, community groups and families can all take to protect people from infection.
Vector-borne diseases affect the poorest populations, particularly where there is a lack of access to adequate housing, safe drinking water and sanitation. Malnourished people and those with weakened immunity are especially susceptible. Populations most at risk are young children, pregnant women, people living  with HIV, people affected by humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters and non-immune travellers moving into endemic areas.
Within the past two decades, many important vector-borne diseases have also re-emerged or spread to new parts of the world. Environmental changes, a massive increase in international travel and trade, changes in agricultural practices and rapid unplanned urbanisation are causing an increase in the number and spread of many vectors worldwide and making new groups of people, notably tourists and business travellers, vulnerable.
Mosquito-borne dengue, for example, is now found in 100 countries, putting more than 2.5 billion people — over 40% of the world's population — at risk. Reports from Greece say that malaria has returned there for the first time in 40 years. This highlights the continual threat of reintroduction and the need for continued vigilance to ensure that any malaria resurgence can be rapidly contained.
Experts from WHO identified that vector control and better provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene — as key strategies in preventing outbreaks of vector-borne diseases. This approach uses a range of interventions, from indoor residual spraying to the use of the natural insect predators, in combination and in a value added way. They urge for increased funds and political commitment to sustain existing vector-control tools, as well as medicines and diagnostic tools — and to conduct urgently needed research.
Death counts, though alarming, vastly underestimate the human misery and hardship caused by these diseases. It is the high time to recreate the momentum for vector control and the fundamental capacities that underpin it, including staff with technical expertise, stronger surveillance systems, and better laboratory infrastructure.

Source: World Health Organisation