Devastating Impact of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in India: Innovative Breakthroughs to Combat the Spread on World Mosquito Day 2024
World Mosquito Day, observed annually on August 20, serves to increase awareness about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases and the efforts to combat these deadly insects. On this day in 1897, British physician Sir Ronald Ross discovered the malaria parasite in the stomach of an Anopheles mosquito, marking the first evidence of mosquitoes transmitting malaria to humans.
According to the World Mosquito Program, 2024 has emerged as the worst year for dengue, with over 11 million cases reported across 80 countries. The rapid spread of this mosquito-borne disease shows no signs of slowing, with more than 24,000 severe cases and over 6,500 deaths recorded globally.
In India, there has been a noticeable decline in major vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, and leishmaniasis in the past two years, according to the National Centre for Vector-Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC). However, dengue remains a fast-emerging, outbreak-prone disease. In 2022, India reported 233,000 dengue cases and 303 deaths, which rose to 289,000 cases and 485 deaths in 2023. Urban areas have been the primary contributors, accounting for 68% of total cases in 2023.
To combat mosquito-borne diseases, India emphasizes the need for innovative measures. The traditional focus on surveillance is shifting towards proactive prevention and control strategies targeting mosquito life cycles and breeding sites. The NCVBDC administers the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP), aiming to eliminate malaria and lymphatic filariasis by 2030 and kala-azar by 2023.
Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra recently urged states and municipalities to stay vigilant to promptly contain dengue outbreaks. He called for collaboration among the Urban Development Ministry, states, municipal corporations, and local self-government bodies to manage dengue cases efficiently. The highest number of cases this year have been reported in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
Original Story https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/healthcare/world-mosquito-day-2024-vector-borne-diseases-in-india-innovations-in-controlling-their-spread-19461838.htm
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