Global brief on vector-borne diseases
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Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that one out of two people are at risk of contracting a vector-borne illness; diseases carried by mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, and freshwater snails. Globally Malaria infects more than 200 million people each year - killing over 600,000 - while 40% of the world’s population is now at risk of Dengue.
Add in the considerable burdens of schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and a bevy of other VBDs (Vector-borne diseases) and you’ll understand why the WHO has dedicated World Health Day: 2014 to highlighting these preventable infections.
While their greatest impact is undoubtedly in the least developed, poorest nations of the world - we’ve seen ample evidence that oceans, borders, and technology cannot prevent their spread around the globe.
West Nile Virus arrived in North American in 1997 and since then has become endemic across the lower 48 states and into Canada (see WNV: The Economic Costs Of An Invasive Arbovirus), while Dengue fever has made exploratory incursions into Florida (see MMWR: Dengue Fever In Key West), Texas and and only last fall resulted in a case of Locally Acquired Dengue In New York City.
Chikungunya’s recent arrival in the Caribbean (see Chikungunya Update & CDC Webinar Online) now has many researchers concerned that it is well positioned to threaten North America in the months or years ahead.
The CDC’s: Estimate Of Yearly Lyme Disease Diagnoses In The United States is now believed closer to 300,000 than to the 30,000 cases officially reported each year, while newly discovered vector borne diseases – like the Heartland Virus and SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus) – provide sobering hints that there are likely many more emerging VBDs yet to be discovered.
As part of World Health Day, WPRO – the Western Pacific Region Office of the World Health Organization – has produced a video on the burden of Vector borne diseases in the Western Pacific, which you can access from the link below:
World Health Day 2014: Small bite, big threat
Video
Summary
For World Health Day 2014, a special film was commissioned to highlight the challenges posed by a number of vector-borne diseases in the Western Pacific Region, along with stories from the frontlines depicting how WHO supports Member States in tackling these diseases. In "Small Bite, Big Threat", filmmaker Mark Hammond captures several stories showing how collaboration between governments and civil society, supported by WHO, is vital in addressing malaria, dengue, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and Japanese encephalitis.
Authors
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Publication details
Publication date: 6 April 2014
Languages: English
While exotic diseases like Ebola, Marburg, and Avian Influenza garner the most headlines, in terms of actual impact on human health, they all pale in comparison to VBDs like malaria or dengue. To learn more about these threats, and how you can help prevent them, set aside some time today to visit the WHO’s World Health Day website:
And for some earlier blogs on VBDs, you may wish to revisit:
ECDC Updates Chikungunya & Zika Virus Outbreaks – March 17th
