Leela Basole - Infectious Disease

 Infectious Diseases: Mosquito-borne diseases in developing countries

Author: Leela Basole

Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant public health and economic burden in developing countries, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and hindering socio-economic development. They should not be overlooked. These diseases including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, cause widespread illness, death, and long-term disability. 

The figure above shows the disproportionate prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases in those countries nearing the equator (signifying warm/humid climate). More specifically various countries in Africa, Southeast Asian countries and central/South America.

Vectors are those organisms that carry and transmit disease, presenting itself in various different forms. A vector thrives under warmer, humid environments like tropical and subtropical areas. They are also found in areas near human habitation, including near bodies of water and in some cases, within homes.

 

The economic burden faced by many people means that households lose a significant portion of their income on treatment, travel, and diagnosis-related expenses. Some patients cannot even afford to access these resources. Limited access to crucial healthcare, poor sanitation, and high population densities in urban areas contribute to the spread and persistence of mosquito-borne diseases in many developing countries. Human interaction is a huge ammunition for a vector to thrive. Furthermore, climate change is exacerbating the problem by expanding the geographical range of mosquitoes and influencing their breeding patterns. 

It is crucial for this issue to be addressed at a governmental level and effective preventative as well as treatment strategies should be implemented to limit the chances of the spread of infectious mosquito-borne disease.

Sources:

Handi Dahmana, and Oleg Mediannikov. “Mosquito-Borne Diseases Emergence/Resurgence and How to Effectively Control It Biologically.” Pathogens, vol. 9, no. 4, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, Apr. 2020, pp. 310–10, https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9040310. 

World. “Vector-Borne Diseases.” Who.int, World Health Organization: WHO, 26 Sept. 2024, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases#:~:text=The%20burden%20of%20these%20diseases,climate%20continues%20to%20get%20warmer. 



Meet the Author:

My name is Leela Basole and I am a current high school student pursuing my passion in medicine and public health. Besides school, some of my hobbies include playing golf, podcasting (go check us out @teenmeetshealth), and reading!

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