20 August: World Mosquito Day, Significance, Ronald Ross Discovery-Facts in Brief

World Mosquito Day: 20 August is observed as the World Mosquito Day in the memory of Sir Ronald Ross discovered who discovered that the female anopheles mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite to humans.

The day is observed annually on August 20 in a bid to observe the date when Sir Ronald Ross discovered the significant facts which displayed that the female anopheles mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite to humans. It was one of the major discoveries for the humanity to provide the input to the facts to cure the Malaria and its cause. Ronald Ross was a British Army Surgeon who was discovered the facts in 1897.

Mr. Ross was awarded by the Prestigious Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1902 for this major discovery for the welfare of humanity. 

Theme for World Mosquitoes Day 2022 is-"Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives."

World Mosquito Day: Facts in Brief

Observed on: 20 August

Facts: Sir Ronald Ross discovered the facts that the female anopheles mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite to humans.

Sir Ronald Ross: He was a British Army Surgeon 

Nobel Prize: Ronald Ross awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1902 

Theme for World Mosquitoes Day 2022: "Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives."

According to the World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020 released by WHO, which gives the estimated cases for malaria across the world, based on mathematical projections, indicates that India has made considerable progress in reducing its malaria burden. India is the only high endemic country which has reported a decline of 17.6% in 2019 as compared to 2018. The Annual Parasitic Incidence (API) reduced by 27.6% in 2018 compared to 2017 and by 18.4% in 2019 as compared to 2018.

Malaria Elimination efforts were initiated in the country in 2015 and were intensified after the launch of National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) in 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-22) was launched by the Health Ministry in July, 2017 which laid down strategies for the next five years.