World Health Day 2014: United effort needed against vector-borne diseases in South Asia

Vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria still have a significant impact on the socioeconomic status of countries in south Asia, the WHO said Thursday, calling for a united effort against them.

By: Agencies | | Updated: April 3, 2015 5:13 pm

Vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria still have a significant impact on the socioeconomic status of countries in south Asia, the WHO said Thursday, calling for a united effort against them. ‘These diseases are still killing thousands of people in the WHO southeast Asia Region,’ a World Health Organization release said. Also Read - National Dengue Day: Know how to deal with this vector borne disease amidst the COVID-19 crisis

Forty percent of the global population at risk of malaria lives in the WHO southeast Asia region, home to a quarter of the world’s population, it said. ‘These are deadly but preventable diseases. The solution lies in a united and sustained effort from all of us,’ said WHO regional director Poonam Khetrapal Singh. Also Read - 4 health conditions that are easy to mistake for genital herpes

‘This region recently defeated polio, it is time for us to show the same resolve to defeat malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases,’ she added. Vector-borne diseases account for 17 percent of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases with malaria being endemic in 10 of the 11 countries of the region, including India. Also Read - China seeks patent for potential coronavirus cure

‘With mass drug administration with effective coverage, there is no reason why diseases like lymphatic filariasis cannot be eliminated from the region,’ said Singh. ‘Countries must prioritize vector-borne diseases in their national development agendas. Communities need to be empowered to fight this battle and protect themselves. Preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases is everyone’s responsibility,’ she said.

Also read more articles about the common vector-borne diseases in India:

Dengue

Chikunguniya

Malaria

For more articles on vector borne diseases, visit our vector borne diseases section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.

Published : April 4, 2014 9:18 am | Updated:April 3, 2015 5:13 pm

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