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.”