Raise Awareness on Vector-Borne Diseases on World Malaria Day 2014

Did you know that malaria, an “entirely preventable and treatable” vector-borne disease, killed 1,300 children per day in 2012? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is the most deadly vector-borne disease and the WHO’s Factsheet on the World Malaria Report 2013, shows just how deadly this “entirely preventable and treatable” vector-borne disease can be

·         An estimated 3.4 billion people worldwide are at risk of malaria;

·         In 2013, 97 countries had an ongoing malaria transmission; and

·         In 2012, an estimated 482,000 children ( or 1,300 children per day) under the age of 5 died from malaria.

As a global leader in educating vet professionals and pet owners on vector-borne diseases (diseases transmitted by “vectors” such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas), World Malaria Day is another way Bayer Animal Health helps raise public health awareness on a topic of great importance to billions worldwide. 

With many countries experiencing changes in climate and urbanization, and with global travel increasing, the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, is a global public health topic of increasing concern. To protect against a vector-borne disease, such as malaria, the WHO recommends that (i) families learn how to protect themselves, (ii) that travelers learn how to protect themselves, (iii) that public health and health ministries increase protection measures and (iv) that health authorities work together, across borders, to share knowledge and to increase awareness. 

 

To learn more about how to protect your family, and your pet from vector-borne and canine vector-borne diseases, browse these resources: 

·         Fact Sheet on the World Malaria Report 2013

·         WHO Policy for Setting Vector-Borne Control

·         CVBD.org – Mosquito-borne diseases