China working to control vector-borne diseases

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2014-07-15

For example, of all the reported cases of malaria in China in 2013, more than 90 percent were imported.

The increasing average global temperature has affected the inhabitants and density of vectors. The country’s study found that Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, the vectors for dengue fever, have been spreading northward and increasing in density.

With more people concentrated in an urban area, a lack of hygiene protection measures makes some places easy targets of vectors.

What’s more, vectors are growing more resistant to pesticide. Vectors that were once controlled, such as bugs, have emerged again.

Measures to cope with the challenges In 2004, the central government set aside money to support the renovation of toilets in rural areas. In 2009, the program was included as one of the major public health service programs.

Since 2004, the central government has spent 8.27 billion yuan ($1.33 billion) on the program and had toilets renovated in 21.03 million households.

By the end of last year, 74.09 percent of 260 million households in rural areas had sanitary toilets. The country aims to increase the rate to 75 percent in 2015 and 85 percent to 2020.

A survey on counties that have joined the program has shown that the incidence of intestinal infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid and hepatitis A has dropped in recent years. The program has significantly lowered the density of mosquitoes and flies in rural areas.

The country is going to strengthen its network to monitor, prevent and alarm vectors, and will pay more attention to infectious diseases in its neighboring countries and issue traveler warnings to curb the spread of diseases.

It will also strengthen efforts to control vector-borne diseases and promote knowledge and skills of residents to prevent and control such diseases through the Patriotic Health Movement.