Vector Borne Diseases

Since the COVID-19, there have been a lot of awareness on all sorts of diseases and viral infections. After all, the pandemic has been a stark reminder on the importance of both health and healthcare infrastructure.

Awareness is said to be the first step to any type of progress, including the progress we make towards our overall health and wellbeing.

That’s why, we’ve put together this health guide for you on vector-borne diseases. Everything from what are vector borne diseases, types of vector diseases and treatment and preventions you can take to protect yourself from the same.

As the WHO defines it, vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors.

And, what are vectors?

Vectors are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas that spread pathogens. A person who gets bitten by a vector and gets sick has a vector-borne disease.

How prevalent are vector-borne diseases?

Vector-borne diseases are one of the most vital global health problems that are often associated with a lot of economic burden for the countries affected. They mainly occur in tropical and subtropical regions; since these illnesses are primarily transmitted by hematophagous arthropods including mosquitoes, ticks, sand flies and triatomine bugs.

Unfortunately, in the past forty years - there has been a growth in the emergency and re-emergence of many vector-borne diseases primarily due to population growth, urbanization, globalization and lack of public health infrastructure.

And, how serious is it?

Some of the most common vector-borne diseases across the world include Malaria, Dengue Fever and Yellow Fever among others. 

Vector-borne diseases account for 17% of the estimated global burden of all infectious diseases, and every year there are approximately 700,000 deaths due to the same all over the world! 

Based on a country’s climate and population, different countries are affected differently with vector borne diseases. In India, there are primarily 5 vector borne diseases that are prevalent or were common in India:

1. Dengue Fever

The dengue fever is an extremely common vector borne disease in India, spread through the mosquito bite of the daytime feeder, Aedes aegypti. Thousands of people are affected every year in India, especially during the monsoons.

Just like in most vector borne viruses, the dengue fever too has symptoms like the flu. However, in dengue fever extreme dehydration and loss of blood may occur as well.  

Currently, there is no direct cure or vaccination for the dengue fever but one’s condition can be improved and cured through a combination of medical and home treatment. To read more about the dengue fever, its preventions and treatment measures, you can read our dengue health guide here.

2. Malaria

Malaria has a long history in India. In fact, it is still pretty much an epidemic in India. Malaria is spread through the bite of the female anopheles' mosquito, which in turn is a carrier for a parasite called Plasmodium.

The World Health Organization (WHO) data shows that 219 million people were infected with malaria and 435,000 died worldwide from the disease just in 2017. While India saw 429,928 cases of malaria and 96 malaria deaths in 2018!  (Source: National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme)

Although India hopes to be malaria-free by 2030, currently almost 87% of malaria cases in South-East Asia are from India itself. The same can be currently treated with proper medical treatment.

3. Zika Virus Infection

You’ve probably heard about the zika virus and have read much about it while traveling internationally at airports (before COVID-19 came into the spotlight of course!).

India’s first case of the same was back in 2018 after which the central health authorities undertook various programs for testing –  it was then found that around 157 people were infected, and tested positive.

Surprisingly, the Zika Virus is caused by the same mosquito that causes dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. It too bites during the daytime.

However, it is not life-threatening, but it is said to lead to severe defects for newborns if a pregnant woman is infected with the same. 

The good news however is that, currently zika virus is quite rare in India.

4. Japanese encephalitis

Less heard of but actually common in India, especially in kids between three to six years old. The Japanese encephalitis affects both humans and animals, and is spread through vectors like mosquitoes, pigs and water birds. It is the major cause of encephalitis (inflammation of one or more parts of the brain) all over Asia.

Just last year, more than 150 infants and children died due to this viral disease in Muzaffarpur, Bihar after eating contaminated litchis. In India, still around 1500 to 4,000 cases are reported every year!

Less than 1% of those infected actually show clinical symptoms until inflammation is developed in the brain, altering its functions. The good news however is that the same can be prevented with vaccine and is recommended, especially in high-risk areas.

5. Nipah virus infection

The Nipah Virus is transmitted to humans through animals like infected pigs and bats. In fact, there was an outbreak of the same back in 2001 and it was then that it was noticed that it can also spread from one infected person to another.

In India and Bangladesh, the Nipah Virus is said to most commonly spread through date palm saps that are contaminated with either urine or saliva of fruit bats.

Like most viruses, the symptoms of the Nipah Virus infection too are flu-like symptoms that can occur up to 5 to 14 days from being affected.

As the infection spreads further in the body, it can lead to respiratory illnesses and encephalitis (inflammation of one or more parts of the brain).

Fortunately, today, the Nipah Virus is not as common as it was. Kerala last saw only 19 cases of the same in 2018 and there was a threat in 2019 too, but luckily local healthcare facilities were able to avoid even a single causality! 

• Get vaccinated: Firstly, while there are select vector borne diseases with no vaccinations yet, there are many that already have a vaccine. Therefore, if you do live in an area that has a risk of any vector borne diseases then you should get vaccinated as per your doctor’s recommendation. This is also especially important if you’re traveling to any country that has even a slight risk of a disease. Before traveling there, do ensure you are vaccinated beforehand and get your doctor’s recommendation on any medicines and other precautions you may need before and during your travel.
  
• Avoid contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people or animals.
  
• Maintain strict hygiene: Make sure you keep strict hygiene always – including hygiene of food and avoid unpasteurized dairy products in areas where tick-borne encephalitis can be transmitted.
  
• Wear well-covered clothes & use insect repellents: If you live in a high-risk area or it’s the season for a particular disease (such as dengue is common during monsoons) then it’s recommended to wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes, sandflies or ticks.

In the worst-case scenario, if you do get infected – It’s always better to ensure you have a health insurance that covers vector borne diseases as illnesses are unpredictable and unplanned and the least, we can do is be prepared for the worst. 

Whether it is malaria, dengue or even the COVID-19, one thing is for sure is that medical treatment and healthcare services today are not cheap.

Additionally, depending on your age, health condition, city you live in and the hospital you pick – cost of treatments can differ from person to person.

However, if you are protected and covered for with a health insurance you can ensure you don’t need to bleed your pocket or go through financial distress in times where you need treatment.

After all, more than anything – quality healthcare and treatment is vital in fighting viruses and illnesses. 

Benefits of having a health insurance that covers vector borne diseases in India

• Be prepared for the unplanned: The objective of a health insurance is to insure that you are financially prepared for any illness or disease. While most of us are usually optimistic that nothing can happen to us (and we hope so too!), it’s a rather smart decision to be foresighted and protect yourself with a health insurance that can have your back when something does happen in the future! 
• Get quality healthcare: Healthcare is expensive but the last thing anyone wants to compromise on when they’re ill is their health! A health insurance is essential as it doesn’t burden you financially, thus ensuring you can choose and go for quality healthcare without any worries! 
• No financial distress: When one’s health isn’t great, the last thing you need is to be stressed about anything else. In this case, money! A health insurance ensures you are financially covered if you or a family member is infected with a vector borne disease or any other illness too for that matter.
• Get tax savings even if you don’t end up using the policy: Did you know that even if you don’t claim in your health insurance (in simple words actually use and benefit from it) you still get benefits like cumulative bonuses for claim-free years and yearly tax savings! 😊 It’s a win-win situation! 

Today, fortunately – health insurance is growing in India and this means, there are various options you can choose to protect both your health and wealth.

At Digit, while we offer a range of health plans – we also offer a customized health insurance policy that will help cover for both the COVID-19 and vector-borne diseases.