August 20th recognizes World Mosquito Day marking the occasion when Sir Ronald Ross discovered that female mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans.
During Ross’s work with the Indian Medical Service, he made his groundbreaking discovery. The malarial parasite was found in the gastrointestinal tract of a female mosquito. The discovery allowed scientist to better understand the role of mosquitoes in the disease. It also provided a starting point for prevention.
In 1902. Ross became the first British person to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.
There are over three thousand species of mosquitoes in the world today. Of those, only about three cause serious diseases.
Some of the most prevalent diseases are:
- Malaria
- dDengue fever
- West Nile
- Yellow fever
- Zika virus
- Encephalitis
Soon after his discovery, Sir Ronald Ross declared that August 20th would become known around the globe as World Mosquito Day.
Source: https://nationaldaycalendar.com
No comments:
Post a Comment