Corporate Health & Wellness Specialist – PrognoHealth
World Health Day – April 7 ‘SMALL BITE, BIG THREAT’
World Health Day is celebrated worldwide every year to mark the anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO). The day draws attention to a subject of major importance – global health. The WHO organizes international, regional, and local events on World Health Day to focus on the chosen theme of the year. This year, WHO Is highlighting the growing threat of vector-borne diseases, with the slogan “Small Bite, Big Threat”.
gents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites that are carried and passed on from one living creature to another. The vectors are disease carriers, usually mosquitoes, flies, lice, ticks, and mites. According to WHO, every year more than 1 billion people are infected and more than I million die from vector-borne diseases. Malaria, dengue, and chikungunya are the most common vector-borne diseases in India.
Tips to prevent vector-borne diseases
• Avoid places where mosquitoes and flies breed easily.
• Ensure that all waste or garbage is covered and disposed of every day to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes & flies.
o stagnant water in or around the house. Open drains, shallow pools of water, air cooler water, etc., are major breeding areas.
• Keep underground and overhead tanks covered and clean.
• Mosquito nets are advisable, especially in places where access to safe drinking water and sanitation systems is a problem.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts & pants or salwar kameez sets to avoid getting bitten.
• Use mosquito repellant creams or sprays, coils, or mats/liquidators regularly.
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