Controlling Mosquito-Borne Diseases: An Integrated Approach Beyond Eradication
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: General Science (Health - Communicable diseases, Vectors, Parasites, Viruses, Bacteria, Vaccines); Science & Technology (Biotechnology - Genetic Engineering, CRISPR-Cas9, Wolbachia); Environment (Impact of Climate Change).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Health): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
General Studies Paper 3 (S&T/Environment): Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Awareness in the fields of Bio-technology; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Key Highlights from the News
Detailed Explanation: Key Concepts
Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases:
Vectors are organisms that transmit a pathogen from one host to another.
Mosquitoes are vectors for numerous diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis.
Climate Change and Disease Spread:
Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns create conditions for mosquitoes to thrive even in higher altitudes and colder countries where they previously could not survive.
Insecticide Resistance:
This is an example of natural selection. When an insecticide is applied, a few mosquitoes resistant to it survive, reproduce, and pass on that resistance to the next generation. Over time, the insecticide becomes ineffective against that mosquito population.
Innovative Vector Control Methods:
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT): An environmentally friendly pest control method.
CRISPR-Cas9: A gene-editing technology used to precisely cut and modify genes.
Wolbachia Method: This is a symbiotic control method. It doesn't kill the mosquito but eliminates its ability to transmit viruses.
Disease Agents: Parasite vs. Virus:
Malaria: Caused by a single-celled parasite called Plasmodium. It is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.
Dengue: Caused by the Dengue virus. It is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
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