Even Small Bug Bites Can Be Deadly, WHO Warns

 

The World Health Organization reported that disease-causing organisms, like mosquitoes, mites, ticks, fleas and sand flies, cause up to one million deaths globally each year. Even just a small bight from these bugs can cause horrible infectious disease. A large number of these diseases are directly linked to larger trends like urbanization, globalization and environmental change. The WHO has created a campaign called “small Bite, Big Threat” which creates awareness about the harmful dangers caused by mosquitoes and other small bug bites that can become deadly and how people can protect them from getting these bites.

They suggest using insect repellent or bed nets treated with insecticide. They also highly encourage vaccination, installing window screens and wearing light colored long sleeved shirts. These vector borne diseases have the most adverse effects on the poorest people in Asia pacific regions. Some of the most dangerous bites can occur during the day when we are out and about. According to the WHO, vector borne diseases account for more than 17 % of all infectious diseases across the globe. More than 2.5 billion people in over 100 countries are at risk of contracting dengue alone, with roughly 75% of those cases recorded in the Asia pacific region.

Many areas in the world often overlook vector borne disease. The WHO is an organization that is attempting to create awareness in countries that are most at risk for detecting these disease but they are also creating awareness to others around the world. Globalization and environmental changes are key factors in understanding and creating awareness to others about preventing the spread and detection of this vector borne disease spread.

http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2014/04/09/even-small-bug-bites-can-be-deadly-who-warns/