World Mosquito Day 2020 - All about World Mosquito Day Importance, Mosquito Day Observance & Facts about Mosquitos.

World Mosquito Day 2020 - On 20 August 2020, World Mosquito Day is observed to commemorate the discovery of the link between mosquitoes and Malaria by Dr. Ronald Ross. It is no doubt that a mosquito is a deadly insect and a menace.  Read on to know more about World Mosquito Day, History and Significance of World Mosquito Day, and also Facts about mosquitoes.

Monika | Updated Jul 02, 2020 09:11 AM

World Mosquito Day 2020 - All about World Mosquito Day Importance, Mosquito Day Observance & Facts about Mosquitos.

World Mosquito Day 2020

World Mosquito Day is celebrated on 20th August, each year. World Mosquito Day 2020 is observed to remember the discovery of the connection between mosquitoes and the deadly disease, Malaria. World Mosquito Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the causes of Malaria and its symptoms so that people are careful by doing the needful to stop mosquito breeding. This day is important when it comes to controlling and preventing malaria all around the world. This article has all the details about World Mosquito Day. 

What are Mosquitoes?

Mosquito's name is derived from a Spanish word meaning "little fly." Like bees, Mosquitoes also feed on plant nectar. Generally, we believe that mosquitoes bite humans because they need to feed on human blood, but this is not true. Female mosquitoes suck blood to help with the development of their eggs before laying them. Unlike the female ones, male mosquitoes do not feed on blood at all.

Although sometimes, mosquitoes are dangerous due to their ability to carry and transmit diseases. But we can't deny that mosquitoes also play an essential role in the ecosystem because they are a food source for many organisms.

History of World Mosquito Day

World Mosquito Day is observed on August 20, each year. It is the remembrance of a British doctor, Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897 that 'female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.' The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine coordinates World Mosquito Day celebrations annually since the 1930s. As the name suggests, the day intends to raise awareness regarding what all causes malaria and ways to prevent it. Parties and exhibitions are conducted to initiate conversations and discussions regarding malaria, and also to pay tribute to Sir Ross and many other scientists who worked after him and identified the link between mosquitoes and Malaria

After dissecting mosquitoes, Ross discovered the malaria parasite in the stomach wall of the mosquito. Researching further using malarious birds, Ross was able to determine the full life cycle of the malarial parasite, including its existence in the mosquito’s salivary glands. Ross reasserted that malaria is transmitted from infected birds to healthy ones by the bite of a mosquito, a discovery that suggested the disease’s mode of transmission to humans.

How to Observe World Mosquito Day?

One of the ways that you can celebrate World Mosquito Day is by fundraising for a charity. There are many ways to fundraise; all you need is an idea that gets everyone attracted and involved. You can have a bake sale or conduct a fun run. The options are endless. It does not need to be anything complex, so long as you can raise money and awareness, you’re good to go! 

Another way to celebrate World Mosquito Day is to spend some time raising awareness online. You can do this by sharing facts about malaria and raising awareness about the condition so that people know about the dangers of the disease. After all, as the statistics indicate, there is still a long way to go to make sure that people are protected. 

You can also spend some time reading about different cases whereby people have suffered from malaria and made it through. These stories are incredibly inspiring, and they can help to open your eyes to what this disease can do. 

What are the various Mosquito-borne Diseases?

Mosquitoes are a menace and host diseases that include malaria and many other deadly diseases. Mosquitoes have been around for over a hundred million years now, and the diseases caused and spread by them have killed many lives. Approximately 6 million deaths every decade occur owing to malaria alone. Some of the diseases that are mosquito-borne are:

  • Malaria

  • Dengue

  • Chikungunya

  • Yellow Fever

  • Encephalitis

  • Zika

  • West Nile Virus

Methods to eliminate mosquito breeding are:

  1. Cover all water containers in the house to prevent fresh egg-laying in them by mosquitoes.

  2. Empty and dry up water tanks, containers, coolers, birdbaths, pets’ water bowls, plant pots, drip trays at least once each week.

  3. Remove discarded items that collect rainwater from open spaces.

  4. Check regularly for clogged gutters and flat roofs that may have poor drainage.

  5. One can also use biological control by introducing larvivorous fishes like Guppy in ornamental water tanks/gardens.

  6. One can also make use of chemical control, such as chemical larvicides and adulticide.

  7. Personal preventive measures include:

  8. Use insect repellent.

  9. Wear clothes (preferably light-colored) that cover as much of the body as possible.

  10. Use physical barriers, such as screening the windows and doors.

  11. Sleep under mosquito nets even during day time.

Facts About Mosquitoes

  1. Only female mosquitoes feed on human blood while the male ones feed on nectar

  2. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on earth’

  3. The maximum lifespan of a mosquito is 5-6 months

  4. A mosquito's wings beat 300–600 times per second

  5. Mosquitoes fly very slowly

  6. Mosquitoes need water to breed but not much

  7. Most mosquitoes can travel only 2-3 miles

  8. Mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide 75 feet away

Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

World Mosquito Day 2020 - FAQs

1. Why India should celebrate World Mosquito Day?

India being a favorite habitat for mosquitoes (including Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes), allows mosquitoes to breed prodigiously. During the four-month-long monsoon season, the hot tropical country with a large population invites the female mosquitoes to feast on blood meals.

2. Why Do Mosquitoes Exist?

Mosquitoes exist because they're next to impossible to wipeout. Mosquitoes are millions of years old as a species. In the ecosystem, they do serve as food for other species (birds, frogs, and fish) and as pollinators.

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