World Mosquito Day is observed today. The day is marked every August 20 in countries around the world. Its main purpose is to raise awareness about mosquito-borne diseases, help curb their spread, and build public awareness around mosquito control.
In 1894, British physician Patrick Manson and Ronald Ross, an officer with the Indian Medical Service, began researching the role mosquitoes play in spreading the malaria parasite. After lengthy research, they proved on August 20, 1897, that Anopheles mosquitoes can carry the malaria parasite. Ronald Ross was later awarded the Nobel Prize for this important discovery. August 20 has been observed as World Mosquito Day ever since, in commemoration of their discovery.
The day carries even greater significance for Bangladesh. Because the country’s warm, humid climate is favorable for mosquito breeding, the risk of mosquito-borne disease remains persistently high. According to research, 126 mosquito species have been identified in Bangladesh to date, of which 14 to 16 species are found in the capital, Dhaka.
Among the mosquito-borne diseases found in Bangladesh, dengue, chikungunya, malaria, filariasis and Japanese encephalitis are the most significant. Dengue in particular has become a major public-health concern in recent years.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report