Annually, Insect Repellent Awareness Day is observed on June 3. Everyone has been struck by an insect at least once, and while the majority of insect bites are harmless, some can cause serious illnesses. The most prevalent insect bite that causes illness is the mosquito bite, which can cause malaria, one of the world’s most lethal diseases, which continues to claim innumerable lives. Insect Repellent Awareness Day was established to encourage the use of insect repellents to prevent insect bites and the subsequent transmission of disease. On this day, individuals are encouraged to take preventative measures against insect attacks.
The background of Insect Repellent Awareness Day
People have reacted to insect wounds since the dawn of time. Insects are ubiquitous, and over time, people have attempted to develop methods to control them and halt the spread of diseases they transmit. Malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the main health concerns on Insect Repellent Awareness Day. Malaria began as a zoonotic disease found in African primates and has since spread to every continent besides Antarctica. The prevention and treatment of malaria have been the focus of scientific and technological advances for centuries.
The discovery of malaria parasites in the blood of malaria patients by Alphonse Laveran in 1880 marked the beginning of the understanding of how malaria parasites function. William MacCallum discovered the reproductive stages of the malaria parasite in the blood in 1897, a few years later. The following year, in 1899, Italian Malariologists Giovanni Battista Grassi, Giuseppe Bastianelli, Amico Bignami, Camillo Golgi, Angelo Celli, and Ettore Marchiafava determined that mosquitoes, specifically the anophelines, transmitted human malaria.
In 1948, Henry Shortt and Cyril Garnham discovered that malaria parasites developed in the liver before entering the circulation. This led to further progress. In 1982, Wojciech Krotoski also demonstrated the final stage of the plasmodium parasite’s life cycle and the presence of dormant phases in the liver. The scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine introduced Insect Repellent Day in an effort to educate the public about the significance of using insect repellents at home and while travelling.
5 FACTS ABOUT MALARIA
Malaria thrives in warm climates where humidity and precipitation are prevalent.
Malaria exists in 85 countries and affects approximately 3.3 billion individuals worldwide.
Each year, 1,500 cases of Malaria are reported in the United States.
A person colonised with the malaria parasite may not develop symptoms for up to four years.
90% of fatalities from malaria occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
INSECT REPELLENT AWARENESS DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 3 | Saturday |
| 2024 | June 3 | Monday |
| 2025 | June 3 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | June 3 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | June 3 | Thursday |
