Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people every year. Most of these conditions, such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus, cause severe illness and life-threatening complications and require urgent medical attention. To raise awareness about the devastating impact of mosquito-borne diseases on global health, 20th August is observed as World Mosquito Day every year.
World Mosquito Day
Established in 1897, World Mosquito Day is celebrated on 20th August to commemorate the discovery of Sir Ronald Ross. On this day, Sir Ross discovered that a particular species of mosquitoes called the Anopheles transmit the malaria parasite to humans. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases. Educating people about these conditions can help them take appropriate preventive measures to stay safe and control the spread.
What are the common mosquito-borne diseases in India?
The following are some common mosquito-borne diseases in India —
Malaria:
This is one of the most common vector-borne diseases in the country. The condition spreads from the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
Some common symptoms of malaria are:
- Fever and tiredness
- Chills and nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Headache and chest pain
- Muscle ache
- Cough and breathing issues
Dengue fever:
Dengue is a severe viral infection that spreads from mosquito bites. When a female mosquito of the Aedes species feeds on the blood of an infected person, it gets infected with the virus, causing the condition. This infected mosquito can bite a healthy person and spread dengue fever.
The symptoms of dengue are:
- High fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe headache
- Severe body pain
- Swollen glands
- Pain behind the eyes
Severe symptoms of the condition are:
- Stomach pain
- Frequent vomiting
- Bleeding from the nose
- Extreme fatigue and restlessness
- Rapid breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Internal bleeding
Chikungunya:
This mosquito-borne viral disease gets transmitted by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. Although not a life-threatening condition, Chikungunya can cause some long-term symptoms, including:
- High fever
- Body pain
- Rashes
- Joint pain and swelling
Zika virus:
This vector-borne disease is transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes. Not everyone infected with the virus develops symptoms of the condition. However, Zika virus infection increases the risk of preterm birth and miscarriage in pregnant women. Moreover, infants born to infected mothers may suffer from microcephaly and other congenital malformations.
People with Zika virus infection may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Fever and fatigue
- Nausea
- Pain in the joints and muscles
- Headache
- Conjunctivitis
- Rash
Importance of health insurance
The following are some reasons that make health insurance an important investment —
Wide coverage:
A comprehensive health insurance policy offers wide coverage to policyholders. From hospital bills and pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses to home healthcare and daycare procedures, a health plan covers them all. Therefore, having a suitable health plan can save you from paying huge bills from your pocket.Medical inflation:
Health issues are increasing, and so are healthcare costs. Having health insurance can ensure financial security during medical emergencies and ease your worries.Cashless treatment:
With a health plan handy, you can avail of cashless treatment at any network hospital of the insurance provider. This benefit can help you opt for timely treatment without worrying about settling the bills from your pocket.
Conclusion
Mosquito-borne diseases affect human health and strain the healthcare system. Most of these conditions are life-threatening and require timely treatment and care. Hence, in addition to taking necessary precautions to stay safe, it is wise to stay covered under health insurance for mosquito-borne diseases and other conditions. Having this insurance product handy can prevent financial setbacks during medical emergencies.