FBlog

In 1897 the world was a very dangerous place to live, and no places more so than the warm climates and countries between the  Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn…in short, most of the world! And, in the summer months – the hot, swampy and mosquito infested areas of Europe, North America and South America outside of the two latitudes mentioned were equally as dangerous. People died from ‘fever’ often quite suddenly and painfully – not only healthy adults, but more often than not  young children. There was no cure and often no warning. The most common association of the disease and deaths was from the ‘bad air’ (or ‘mal aria’) of the hot, steamy and humid months in summer. Months when the mosquito was at its most active in biting flesh..often at night, and often while humans and animals slept. It meant, that travel or living in sub tropical or tropical climates and locations was perilous. There was no cure, and no effective prevention because there was no true understanding of what, how or where the ‘malaria’ came from. That was until Sir Ronald Ross discovered the link between the mosquito, the parasite and the cycle of bite-infection. He discovered the link on  August 20^th, 1897 leading the way to more effective understanding, development and innovation around medicine and treatment. In 1902, he received the Nobel Prize for his discovery.

It is because of his discovery that World Mosquito Day is important, not to celebrate (for malaria is still a deadly and needless killer that must be eradicated!) but to remind us and raise awareness and funds in one of the greatest challenges to humanity. A challenge that is achievable! The elimination of deaths from malaria by 2015.

To this day, over 350 – 500 million people are infected by the Malaria Parasite. 1- 3 million people die every year from Malaria and the majority are children under the age of 5 years old in Sub-Saharan Africa. The most effective means of preventing malaria is a bed net, reducing bite-transmissions dramatically and breaking the cycle of the malaria parasite. Not all mosquitoes transmit malaria, only the female anopheles, of which there are 25 species. They feed on blood and each time they bite an infected human or animal they ingest malaria parasites. These later migrate to the salivary glands and the disease is passed on in the next bite. Malaria is debilitating, and draining. In an adult, if not treated it can be fatal as the body shuts down it can be mistaken for the common cold, flu or exhaustion. In a child, it is a painful and sudden affliction which culminates in a child falling into a ‘sleeping sickness’ like coma as the blood and blood flow to the brain is impaired. In children who survive, they will suffer a lifetime of brain damage and learning impairment. For pregnant women, it can be deadly. The resulting social and economic cost to a nation, a community or a family is devastating.

Malaria has been eradicated to a great extent in the developing world and urban locations of SE Asia, India and Latin America through a combination of preventative measures and education. However, in Africa a child continues to die every 45 seconds due to this disease. Many holidaymakers to the region return with the disease and may die from a brief luxury holiday. The disease is still very much real, dangerous and present in our world. Yet, it is preventable.

The United Nations, governments and organisations such as Malaria No More are committed to eradicating needless deaths from malaria by 2015. It is a great humanitarian challenge. By the end of 2010/2011 one goal is to ‘net’ Africa by ensuring that those most at risk have access to a bed net to sleep under at night; that they are aware and informed of the dangers of the mosquito and parasite; and that they are aware of the symptoms and have access to treatment should they fall ill. It is a massive and coordinated challenge to which many governments, organisations and people are committed to making happen: A MALARIA FREE WORLD!

FutureBrand is proud to make this a cornerstone of our commitment through Malaria No More worldwide.

What Sir Ronald Ross began in 1897 carries on today. One of the most exciting innovations and discoveries by the University of Arizona is the potential to genetically alter or modify the gene of the anopheles mosquito.  In essence, if we can’t alter or fight the disease in the human body – why not try in the mosquito. By altering the gene of the mosquito and the mosquito’s immune system, the carrier could be eliminated. Or, if the lifespan of the mosquito could be altered (a mosquito lives for an average of two weeks and older mosquitoes are the most deadly and effective at transmitting the parasite), then the reduced lifespan correlates to reduced infection transmissions. As the biology of the disease and the mosquito is studied, it reminds us that the end goal is achievable. The advances made and elimination of the disease in much of the world bears witness to the success of medicine, education, and global collaboration and commitment. As the summer months in the northern hemisphere remind us today of sun, warmth, fun and living outdoors we can thank Sir Ross, for a century ago the summer also meant fear of death and disease. For those in the southern hemisphere, where exotic holidays to Africa, tropical islands and far-away locales were ways to escape ‘winter’, only today can we do so with a degree of comfort and safety in knowing that there is minimal risk involved. As we remember on WORLD MOSQUITO DAY, let’s also commit to raising awareness, support and funding for this humanitarian challenge and cause.

Making malaria a thing of the past and a Malaria Free World a reality is a great future ambition.
If you would like more information, or would like to donate or contribute to the cause – contact MalariaNoMore or donate via FutureBrand.