Mosquitoes are small,midge-like flies that constitute the family Culidae.
The species are majorly ectoparasites,whose,tube-like mouth parts pierce the host’s skin to consume blood.
Lately mosquitoes have been described as the most dangerous insects in the world and mosquito borne diseases with the greatest detrimental impact is undoubtedly malaria.
Not minding the fact that there are about 5 species of mosquitoes.
The ones that transmits the malaria parasite plasmodium belongs to the subset called Anopheles mostly the female.
Out of this 5 parasite species two pose the greatest threat .
They are the P.falciparum and P.vivax.
P.falciparum is prevalent in Africa while the P.vivax is prevalent in other Asians countries and other parts of the world.
According to the World health organisation in 2016 ,there were an estimated 216 million cases of malaria in 91 countries, an increase of 5 million cases over 2015.
Malaria deaths reached 445,000 in 2016,a similar number (446,000) to 2015.
The World health organization African region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.
1n 2016,the African region was home to 90% of malaria cases and 91% of Malaria deaths.
WHO opines that the toral funding for malaria control and elimination reached an estimated US$2.7 billion in 2016.
Contributions from government of endemic countries amounted to US $800 million, representing 31% of funding.
The world mosquito day was first established in 1897,when the link between mosquitoes and malaria transmission was discovered by sir Ronald Ross.
It is celebrated on every 20th of August of every year.
It aims to raise awareness about the causes of malaria.
It is also a salute to the ground breaking work of Sir Ross and scientists who have followed him.
The London school of hygiene and tropical medicine celebrates world mosquito day with exhibitions and parties designed both to entertain and to inform, while other celebrations includes “Malaria No More’s Mozzy Air” campaign.
This campaign encourages people to take antimalarial drugs or injections while traveling to malaria zones.
Those already in Malaria zones are also encouraged to adopt all preventive measures such as the use of mosquito nets,use of Antimalarial injection and other mosquito repelling techniques as approved by WHO to prevent malaria.
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During the world mosquito day also,people are encouraged to take part in the “Nothing but nets ” campaigns to provide mosquito nets for poor communities.
Get involved in this campaign by holding fundraiser to provide nets or quinine and distributing informations about precautions people should take when traveling to mosquito danger spots.