World Mosquito Day Observed with Focus on Disease Prevention
Summary
Nepal is marking World Mosquito Day with a focus on preventing mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, filariasis and Japanese encephalitis. Health officials say climate change, urbanization and expanding mosquito habitats are pushing the risk beyond the Terai into hill and mountain districts.
Key Points
- More than 3,500 mosquito species have been identified globally, and 168 species have been confirmed in Nepal so far.
- Acting Director General Dr. Anuj Bhattachan says Nepal is running long-term malaria and kala-azar control programs along with the “Search and Destroy” campaign for dengue.
- Health authorities say mosquito-borne diseases are spreading into hill and mountain districts because of climate change, uncontrolled urbanization and dense population.
- Officials stress that mosquito control requires coordination among the government, local representatives, communities and health workers.
