On 20th August, 1897 in a lab at Secunderabad, Hyderabad, a British scientist by the name of Ronald Ross discovered that malaria was not only carried by mosquitoes but that these insects were crucial to the disease’s life cycle. The discovery was crucial for future developments and research in treating malaria. The discovery earned Ronald Ross a Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1902. The significance of this revelation was such that the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has held Mosquito Day celebrations every year since the early 1930s.
To commemorate the groundbreaking event, 20th August is annually observed all over the world as World Mosquito Day. World Mosquito Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the role mosquitoes play in the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
The Zika virus causes birth defects due to being carried by infected mothers in the wombs. Malaria and dengue are responsible for widespread illness and deaths all around the world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malaria has caused 6,08,000 deaths in 85 countries in 2022.
Mosquito control is one of the effective ways to combat diseases spread by mosquitoes. They include strategies such as insecticide use, larviciding, and the development of vaccines. The use of mosquito nets and indoor spraying is also helpful. However, with mosquitoes evolving to be more resistant with time, it is important to continuously develop new strategies such as more efficient insecticides and research.
On this World Mosquito Day, we can conduct public awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts for mosquito control and research initiatives. By drawing attention to the impact of mosquito-borne diseases, the day encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action.
Through increased awareness and coordinated efforts, the global community can make strides in reducing the burden of these diseases. World Mosquito Day is not only a commemoration of past achievements but also a call to action for the future. As we recognize the significance of Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery and the ongoing challenges we face, it is time to renew our commitment to protecting public health from the threats posed by mosquitoes.
Child Help Foundation supports initiatives to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases. We actively fundraise for all health cases which has saved the lives of 3,348 children. Our crowdfunding partner, Filaantro, is also open to fund research for mosquito control.
This World Mosquito Day, let us rise to fight against deadly diseases. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and make sure to share this blog with all your friends and family members.