Every year on 20th August, World Mosquito Day is celebrated all over the world. These mosquitoes may be small in appearance but they spread serious diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya. If there is a slight negligence in its treatment, it can even lead to death. Today we will make you aware about the death caused by mosquito disease.
Both Chikungunya and Dengue are caused by the bite of ‘Aedes aegypti’ mosquito
The Aedes aegypti mosquito causes both dengue virus and chikungunya virus. In areas where both viruses circulate together, they spread the disease together. During the dengue outbreak in Delhi in 2006, 17 out of 69 serum samples were chikungunya virus positive by reverse transcription-PCR. Both diseases are caused by the bite of the same mosquito.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was isolated in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1953. In Asia, the virus is transmitted almost exclusively by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The first outbreak of CHIKV in India occurred in 1963; subsequent epidemics spread to other parts of the country. Recently, large-scale outbreaks of CHIKV have been reported from several islands in the Indian Ocean. An outbreak of chikungunya in India was reported in 2005, and 1.4 million chikungunya cases were reported from various states.
Malaria disease is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Mosquito is one of the most dangerous insects in the world. It spreads serious diseases. Every year millions of people die due to mosquito-borne diseases.
Deaths due to malaria in India
India has around 1,000 deaths from malaria every year, with around 2 million cases reported. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia estimates that the actual numbers are closer to 20,000 deaths and 15 million cases. In 2022, India saw a 34% reduction in malaria mortality compared to the previous year, with 5,511 deaths and 33.8 lakh cases. This is a significant reduction compared to 2014, when 562 people died of malaria in India. The government’s National Malaria Elimination Program, which includes educational programs, medical facilities and awareness campaigns, has helped reduce the number of malaria deaths in the country in the last few years.
With 33.8 lakh cases and 5,511 deaths as of December 2, 2023, India witnessed a 30 per cent decline in malaria incidence and 34 per cent decline in mortality rate in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Deaths due to dengue in India
Dengue is endemic in many parts of India and epidemics are frequently reported from various parts of India and abroad. Mortality rates can be as high as 44% in patients with dengue fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. You must consult the concerned expert before implementing any suggestion.
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