- According to WHO, Dengue and Malaria have been responsible for greatly perpetuating poverty.
- While South East Asian countries have done considerably well on socio-economic, Vector borne diseases throw a spanner in fight against poverty.
- Dengu, kala-azar, lymphatic filariasis and malaria, etc are examples Vector borne diseases.
- WHO, on World Health Day, April 7, exhorts countries to take preventive steps to control these diseases.
- About 40 per cent of world population in South East Asia face threat from Malaria.
- Main affected countries are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste
- Maldives has reported no case of malaria since 1984. In Sri Lanka since November 2012 there has been no case of malaria reported
- WHO Regional Director for SE Asia Poonam Ketrapal says Malaria can be fought through community efforts backed by strong political support.
- She says region has successfully fought polio. The same can be done with regard to Vector borne diseases as well, she adds.
- Some of diseases like Lymphatic Filariasis caused by mosquito have direct bearing on poverty.
- There are already 60 million infected persons in SE Asia and another 875 million who are likely to get infected by vector-borne diseases
- WHO now prescribes targeted administration of medicines every year in areas under recurring threats of such diseases.
Exams Perspective:
- WHO
- Vector Borne Diseases
- Pandemic
- Endemic