World Mosquito Day

What Is World Mosquito Day?

August 20th is "World Mosquito Day," commemorating Ronald Ross's discovery on this day in 1897. It is marked every year by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK, among others, and raises awareness of mosquito-borne diseases and the threat they pose worldwide.

A Day Born From Dr. Ross's Discovery

World Mosquito Day exists to spread awareness of the diseases mosquitoes carry, and to highlight the importance of prevention and control.

• Origin: On August 20, 1897, while working in India, British physician Ronald Ross found malaria parasites in the gut of an Anopheles mosquito — a key step in showing that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes.
• The next step: In 1898, through experiments with birds, he showed how malaria spreads when mosquitoes feed on blood.
• Legacy: This work earned Ross the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902.
• Who marks it: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, among others, celebrates this day as World Mosquito Day.

A Tiny Insect With an Outsized Impact

Mosquitoes transmit not only malaria but also dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and other diseases. Ross's discovery was the first step in understanding how these illnesses spread, and it laid the groundwork for major advances in preventive medicine.

Only Females Bite

Mosquitoes normally feed on sugary liquids such as nectar and fruit juice. Only females drink blood, which gives them the protein they need to develop their eggs. About 460 species of Anopheles mosquitoes are known worldwide, of which some 30 to 40 transmit malaria to humans. The Japanese name "hamadaraka" refers to the black-and-white mottled pattern on their wings.

Ways to Mark the Day

• Learn more about the diseases mosquitoes can carry
• Check for standing water and review your household's mosquito-prevention habits
• Read about Ronald Ross and the history of malaria research
• Review disease-prevention steps before traveling abroad

Small Precautions, Healthier Days

World Mosquito Day is a chance to pay attention to a creature we often overlook, and to think about how knowledge helps prevent disease. On August 20th, take a moment to consider the connection between mosquitoes and public health.