UN chief urges to prioritize combat of vector-borne diseases

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday called on the international community to give priority to controlling the spread of vector-borne diseases. Ban delivered the message in marking the World Health Day, which fell on Monday and is observed annually in commemorating founding of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. "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 -- which include malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis -- cause chronic illness and immense suffering for hundreds of millions more," said Ban, who said more people are exposed to the vectors that transmit these diseases because of climate change, altered habitats and increased international trade and travel. "They present a risk in all regions, including countries where the threat had formerly been eradicated, but the most affected are the world's poorest people, especially those who live in remote rural communities far from health services or in urban shanty towns," he said. "By profoundly affecting people's health, vector- borne diseases are a serious impediment to poverty reduction and sustainable development." Ban also stressed in the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and define a post-2015 development agenda, it is wise and necessary to invest in vector control and disease prevention. "Everyone has a role to play in the fight against vector-borne diseases -- international organizations, governments, the private sector, civil society, community groups and individuals," he said. "On this World Health Day, I urge countries and development partners to make vector control a priority. Let us work together to tackle this serious but eminently preventable threat to human health and development." For its part, WHO is highlighting the serious and increasing threat of vector-borne diseases, with the slogan "Small bite, big threat." According to WHO, mosquito-borne dengue, for example, is now found in 100 countries, putting more than 2.5 billion people at risk. John Ashe, President of the UN General Assembly, also said that "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." "Let us work together to make vector control and disease prevention a priority in the global health agenda," Ashe said.