UN urges countries to prioritize combat against vector-borne diseases
April 8, 2014 : Warning that a “small bite can carry a big threat,” the United Nations
family marked World Health Day on 7, April, by urging the international community
to back a global health agenda that gives higher priority to controlling the spread
of vector-borne diseases, a step towards ensuring that no one in the 21st century
would die from the bite of a mosquito or a tick. “Every year, more than 1 million
people die from diseases carried by mosquitoes, flies and other insects, such as triatomine
bugs. These vector-borne diseases cause chronic illness and immense suffering for
hundreds of millions and more,” says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message
for the Day, which is observed every year on 7 April to mark the founding in 1948
of the UN World Health Organization (WHO). Picking up that thread, John Ashe, President
of the UN General Assembly, said in his message: “Sustained political commitment and
financial backing aimed at amplifying the global effort would save millions of more
lives and protect over a billion people against needless suffering.” He reminded
UN Member States, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders that everyone
needs to act against this threat to human health and development. “Let us work together
to make vector control and disease prevention a priority in the global health agenda.”