How Mosquito Screen Protect Against Insect-borne Diseases?

Why is it necessary to have mosquito screens installed on our windows, doors, and balconies?

Do you know that 627,000 people died due to malaria in 2020?   

According to the 2021 World Malaria Report by the World Health Organisation(WHO), malaria-related fatalities have increased each year, reaching 627,000 in 2020, which is the highest figure in almost ten years.

Insect-borne diseases, also known as vector-borne diseases, are transmitted by insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies.

These diseases pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, affecting millions of people each year.  

These diseases pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, affecting millions of people each year.  

In this blog post, let us explore important details on these key areas.

Why are insect-borne diseases a global health concern?

• Common Insect-borne Diseases
• Impact of Insect-borne diseases globally
• How do mosquito screens contribute to healthy lifestyle choices?
• Why the preventive measures in urban and rural settings are important?
• Role of Window Mosquito Screens in Disease Prevention
• Health Benefits of Window Mosquito Screens
• Installation and Maintenance of Mosquito Screens
• Case Studies and Testimonial

Note: Certain insect-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, can have long-term health consequences on children and adults with weakened immunity that includes chronic illness and disability.

Why are insect-borne diseases a global health concern?

Several factors have contributed to the increasing prevalence of insect-borne diseases.

• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, humidity, and changing rainfall patterns have created more favourable conditions for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to thrive.
• Globalisation: Increased travel and trade have facilitated the spread of insects and the diseases they carry across borders.
• Urbanisation: The rapid growth of urban areas has led to increased contact between humans and insects.
• Deforestation and habitat destruction: It disrupts natural predator-prey relationships, allowing insect populations to grow unchecked.
• Resistance to Pesticides: Many insects have developed resistance to pesticides, especially mosquitoes, making it more difficult to control their populations.
• Waste Management Issues: Excessive consumerism often generates large amounts of waste, which can provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.

Common Insect-borne Diseases

Insect-borne diseases, also known as vector-borne diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Window and door mosquito screens act as a physical barrier, preventing many insects from entering your home. Here are some of the most common insect-borne diseases:

Mosquito-Borne Diseases   

• Malaria: Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria is a potentially fatal disease characterised by fever, chills, headache, and fatigue.
• Dengue Fever:Transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, dengue fever causes symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and a rash.
• Zika Virus: Also transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, Zika virus can cause birth defects in infants born to infected mothers, as well as other neurological complications.
• West Nile Virus: Transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, the West Nile virus can cause fever, headaches, body aches, and, in severe cases, neurological problems.

Tick-Borne Diseases

• Lyme Disease:Transmitted by blacklegged ticks, Lyme disease can cause a rash, fever, fatigue, and joint pain.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Transmitted by tick species in the Dermacentor genus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can cause fever, rash, headache, and muscle pain.

Impact of Insect-Borne Diseases Globally

Now that mankind has given enough rise to the prevalence of insect-borne diseases with the post-modern lifestyle and excessive consumerism, let’s see why it’s important to start the preventive measures in urban settlements.

• Economic Impact: Insect-borne diseases can have a devastating economic impact in developing and third-world countries as they are thickly populated. They can lead to productivity loss, increased healthcare costs, and decreased tourism revenue.
• Public Health Crisis: Many insect-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus, can cause significant morbidity and mortality, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Social Disruption: These diseases can disrupt social and economic activities, leading to displacement, poverty, and social unrest.

How Do Mosquito Screens Contribute to a Healthy Lifestyle?

Mosquito screens are physical barriers that can help prevent insects from entering homes and other living spaces. This reduces the risk of exposure to insect-borne diseases. Here are some key benefits of using mosquito screens:

• Protection Against Mosquitoes: Mosquito is the root cause for many insect-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. High-quality window Mosquito Screens, such as Phifer Mosquito Screens, can effectively keep mosquitoes out.
• Urban Applications: Mosquito screens are suitable for both urban and rural environments. In urban environments, mosquito screens tailored for city living offer protection against mosquitoes in densely populated regions.
• Rural Applications: In rural areas, using excessive insecticides has led to the emergence of mosquitoes’ resistance, which can contribute to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Insect Screen for Rural Lifestyle can be used to prevent exposure to a wider range of insect-borne diseases.
• Cost-effective Solution: Mosquito screens are an effective way to protect against insect-borne diseases. They can be easily maintained, making them a practical choice for both individuals and communities.

Insect-proof your doors, windows, patios, and balconies with mosquito screens, which is essential for a healthy life.

Why are the preventive measures in urban and rural settings important? 

While these diseases can occur anywhere, they are particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. Preventive measures, including the use of mosquito screens, are essential in both urban and rural settings to reduce the transmission of these diseases.

Urban  Areas:

• Dense Population: Urban areas are thickly populated, which makes room for the rapid spread of insect-borne diseases. Mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects frolic in crowded conditions, making it easier for them to transmit pathogens.
• Poor Sanitation: Inadequate sanitation and waste management in urban areas, particularly in developing and third-world nations, serves as the breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects.
• Globalisation: The increasing connection and excessive consumerism of the world contributes to the spread of insect-borne diseases, thanks to globalisation. Travellers from poorly sanitised places can bring these diseases to new areas, where they may not be as well-equipped to handle them.

Rural Areas:

• Limited Access to Healthcare: Rural areas often have limited access to healthcare facilities, making it difficult for people to receive timely treatment for insect-borne diseases. This can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.
• Agriculture and Livestock: Agricultural activities and livestock rearing can create favourable conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes and other insects. These settings may also be more vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
• Environmental Factors: Rural areas have unique environmental factors, such as stagnant water bodies or dense vegetation, that can contribute to the prevalence of insect-borne diseases.