Preventing vector-borne diseases

FM Bureau | 01-April-2014

World Health Day is observed on April 7 every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organisation in 1948. Each year, a theme is selected to highlight a priority area of public health. The Day provides an opportunity for all to get involved in activities that can lead to better health. The topic for 2014 is vector-borne diseases

By FM Bureau

Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another. Vector-borne diseases are caused by these pathogens and parasites in humans. They are most commonly found in tropical areas and the places where access to safe drinking-water and sanitation systems is problematic.

The most deadly vector-borne disease, malaria, caused an estimated 660 000 deaths in 2010. Most of these were children in African countries. However, the world’s fastest growing vector-borne disease now is dengue, with a 30-fold increase in incidences over the last 50 years. Globalisation of trade and travel and environmental challenges such as climate change and urbanisation has increased the transmission of vector-borne diseases, causing their appearance even in countries where they were earlier unknown.

In recent years, renewed commitments from ministries of health, regional and global health initiatives with the support of foundations, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and the scientific community have helped to lower the incidence and death rates from some vector-borne diseases.

World Health Day 2014 will spotlight some of the most commonly known vectors – such as mosquitoes, sandflies, bugs, ticks and snails – responsible for transmitting a wide range of parasites and pathogens that attack humans or animals. Mosquitoes, for example, not only transmit malaria and dengue, but also lymphatic filariasis, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever.

Protection from vector-borne diseases

• The campaign aims to raise awareness about the threat posed by vectors and vector-borne diseases and to prompt families and communities to take action to protect themselves.
• A core element of the campaign will be to provide communities with information.
• As vector-borne diseases begin to spread beyond the traditional boundaries, action needs to be expanded beyond the countries where these diseases usually thrive.
• Enable families living in areas where diseases are transmitted by vectors  to protect themselves
• Making travellers aware to protect themselves from vectors and vector-borne diseases while travelling to countries where these pose a health threat. 

Vector control methods

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the two most important vector control measures that protect humans from the bite of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

In specific settings and under special circumstances, vector control interventions can be complemented by other methods such as larval source management and a scale-up of personal protection measures.   

Insecticide resistance

Endemic countries are urged to draw up and implement comprehensive insecticide resistance management strategies and ensure timely entomological and resistance monitoring.

WHO-approved products

The WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) coordinates the testing and evaluation of pesticides for public health and makes recommendations on vector control tools such as long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and insecticide compounds and formulations for IRS and other vector control interventions where appropriate.

Advisory bodies

The Vector Control Advisory Group (VCAG) on new tools and the Technical Expert Group on malaria vector control (VTEG) are the two main advisory bodies addressing policy topics related to malaria vector control.

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