World Mosquito Day 2020: History and Significance of the day

World Mosquito Day is celebrated every year on 20 August to raise awareness about the diseases caused by the ‘female mosquitoes Anopheles’. This day is a remembrance of a British physician, Sir Ronald Ross’ discovery in 1897 which found that Malaria is brought about by the female mosquitoes.

World Mosquito Day is additionally celebrated by The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Parties and presentations are held to start discussions and conversations concerning malaria and pay tribute to the work of Sir Ross and the numerous researchers who worked after him.

The recognition of the day looks to made attention to prevent and to gather fundraise for an investigation into the cure of malaria.

Read More: World Malaria Day 2020: Facts about Malaria

World Mosquito Day: History and Significance

World Mosquito Day additionally marks the pivotal discovery of British doctor, Sir Ronald Ross when he had a distinguished connection between mosquitoes and malaria way back in 1897. He had discovered that female Anopheles mosquitoes send malaria between people. This disclosure had established frameworks for researchers across the world to more readily comprehend the fatal role of mosquitoes in disease transmission and think of viable inventive mediations. Sir Ross is liable for the annual recognition of World Mosquito Day, which was proclaimed soon after his discovery.

What are Mosquitoes?

Mosquito’s name originates from the Spanish word signifying “little fly”. Fundamentally mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, comparably to bees. Generally, we believe that mosquitoes bite people since they have to feed on human blood, however, this isn’t correct. All things considered, female mosquitoes suck blood to help with the advancement of their eggs preceding laying them. Male mosquitoes don’t feed on blood by any means.

Mosquitoes are small, midge-like flies that establish the family Culicidae. They have been around for more than a hundred million years now and diseases caused and spread by them the prompt loss of a few lives. There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes have just been portrayed. They are commonly divided into two subfamilies, Anophelinae and Culicidae which thusly involve somewhere in the range of 43 genera.

Female mosquitoes are ectoparasites, whose tube-like mouthparts (called a proboscis) pierce hosts’ skin to consume blood for its survival. Numerous species of mosquitoes are vectors of diseases. In going from host to host, some send incredibly hurtful diseases, for example, malaria, yellow fever, Chikungunya, West Nile virus, dengue fever, filariasis, Zika virus, and different arboviruses.

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world, as around 6 million deaths consistently happen because of vector-borne diseases sent by it. Deadliest among them are Malaria (transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes), Dengue (transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito), Zika virus (additionally transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes), Chikungunya (spreads through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito) and Yellow fever (contaminated mosquitoes of Aedes species).

Even though now and again mosquitoes are risky due to their capacity to carry and transmit diseases. In any case, we can’t deny the way that mosquitoes likewise play a significant role in the environment since they serve as a food source for many organisms.

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and prefer temperatures more than 80 degrees. At temperatures under 50 degrees, they shut down for the winter. The grown-up females of certain species discover holes where they sit tight for hotter climate, while others lay their eggs in freezing water and pass on. The eggs keep until the temperatures rise, and they can bring forth.

As indicated by the American Mosquito Control Association, there are more than 3,000 unique types of mosquitoes all through the world.

Different Mosquito-borne diseases

1. Malaria: is brought about by a parasite that is transmitted by an Anopheles mosquito. It is predominant in tropical or sub-tropical atmospheres. The absolute most ideal approaches to prevent malaria incorporate insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor showering with insecticides, and anti-malarial drugs. Quinine is a prescription used to treat malaria. Around 6 million deaths consistently happen because of malaria.
2. Dengue: is transmitted by the Asian tiger mosquito for example Aedes Albopictus and Aedes Aegypti. Its disease causes influenza-like ailment to hemorrhagic fever. Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical atmospheres and for the most part in urban zones.
3. Yellow Fever: is sent by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is predominant in Africa and parts of South America. It produces symptoms like malaria yet also incorporates nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.
4. Encephalitis: is brought about by viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes like the Aedes or Culiseta mosquitoes. The symptoms may incorporate high fever, stiff neck, headache, confusion, and lethargy/sleepiness.
5. Zika: This sickness is brought about by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquito which bites during the day. The most widely recognized symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint agony, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Symptoms may keep going for a few days to seven days in the wake of being nibbled by a contaminated mosquito. During pregnancy, it can cause genuine birth defect microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. In uncommon cases, Zika can likewise prompt Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
6. Chikungunya: It is additionally transmitted through Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquitoes which likewise causes dengue. Symptoms incorporate migraines, fever, nausea, vomiting, and muscle torment. Acute infection can keep going for half a month.
7. West Nile Virus: Various species have been known to carry West Nile, however, the essential one is Culex Pipiens. Most healthy individuals don’t realize they have been tainted, however, in this disease some influenza-like symptoms happen and in uncommon cases, permanent neurological damage or death.