Of Mosquitoes and Men

Note: What you are about to read is very informative on mosquitoes and malaria. All information was obtained during a conversation with a professional. It would be great if you could pass on this information to others. That way it would be a step closer to a disease free world.

 

Let me start with a question that has bugged me since I was born: Why do mosquitoes and other pests even exist?

Well the answer to that is simple; but it is based on an assumption.

Let us assume that the mosquitoes are a well-organised Malaria Mafia whose sole purpose on this planet is to breed and then spread malaria among us humans, thus ultimately destroying mankind to take over the world. If this theory portrays these pests as the villains, then over the years there have been various men of science who have fought on mankind’s behalf to keep the outbreak of a genocidal epidemic under control by helping arrest many a disease… and I’d like to call them heroes the Pathogen Police.

I had the opportunity to meet such a man.

Dr. C.J. Babu is a living example of one of those men the mosquitoes fear. He’s not just any doctor. The man is a walking encyclopaedia on malaria and mosquitoes. He’s armed with a doctorate from Madras University, India, for his work on “Filariasis vector mosquito-Culex quinquefasciatus” and with an MBA from IGNOU, Delhi. With 30 years experience in Environmental and Public Health related projects, he has been a teacher, a research officer for the Indian Council of Medical Research and has worked in tribal areas for seven years on malaria related assignments. He was employed in various multinational companies (like Hoechst and Aventis CropScience) for the development of malaria control products. On our meeting in August 2006, he was the General Manager In-charge (Institutional Sales) at Godrej HiCare. 

Dr. Babu has always tried to shed light on mosquitoes and malaria, and has even written a book titled “The Handbook of Malaria”. A chat with him reveals the following:

The climate of India and other tropical regions facilitates the thriving of different mosquitoes and other insects. Out of 3000 species of mosquitoes in the world, 300 are found in India out of which 50 are anopheline. Nine of these 50 species are the vectors/carriers of malaria. Other than malaria, mosquitoes also spread chikun guniya, dengue fever and several other diseases.

So you see? The Malaria Mafia have used devious scientific methods to their advantage, like departmentalisation (biological classification), in their efforts to confuse us pathetic humans over the ages. So basically some of them actually spread the disease while the rest are just bloodsucking decoys. Besides, they also have interests in spreading other diseases as well, which actually  makes them more like a contagion conglomerate.

Dr. Babu’s lecture continues:

The species called Anopheles culicifacies is one of the major vectors in rural areas in most parts of India. This specie breeds in any depression holding rainwater, including irrigation channels, riverbeds, dam sites, etc. Another species called the Anopheles stephensi are the primary vectors in most of the urban areas of the country, where they breed in wells and domestic water collections, like overhead tanks. These urban malaria vectors breed in clean water as opposed to popular belief that they breed in dirty water.

In Bombay, New Bombay and other urban areas the vectors breed in overhead tanks, rainwater puddles, ponds, unused wells, cement tanks at construction sites and other places where stagnant water is collected. Malaria spreads to the urban areas when workers from rural areas come to the city carrying the malaria parasites, and the mosquitoes, which are the urban vectors, transmit the disease to the city’s unsuspecting public.

So now we know that the Malaria Mafia have also used devious psychological methods to try to get us humans extinct. Who would believe that mosquitoes, just like us, would prefer clean water in which to bring up their little ones? Hygiene conscious mind-game playing bastards.

The Pathogen Police’s talking malaria encyclopaedia goes on; but this time it’s about the mosquitoes’ partners in crime.

There are four species of malaria causing parasites in the world out of which three are prevalent in India, viz. P. vivax, P. falciparum and the very rare P. Malariae [where the "P" stands for plasmodium]. P. vivax has an average incubation of 14 days, while for the more dangerous P. falciparum it is 12 days.

There are various methods of prevention and cure. In Indian rural areas insecticides are sprayed indoors. Workers from primary health centres are sent to check for malaria cases, where they take blood smears and give presumptive treatment of Chloroquine and later prescribe a radical treatment if the result is positive. 

A-ha! So now we have more information from the Pathogen Police. The mosquitoes are nothing but mere chauffeurs for the actual big fish. The parasites are the ones who are the real brains behind the disease; but the mosquitoes take most of the glory. But then again, they are still bloodsucking bastards.

Dr. Babu states that malaria shouldn’t be feared at all as it is easily curable, though it might be fatal if treatment isn’t given on time. Those living in India should be aware that there are malaria clinics provided by the Municipal Corporations. A WHO study proved that there isn’t Chloroquine resistance in Bombay & New Bombay and several other parts of the country. In pre-independent India, there were eighty million cases of malaria reported and seven lakh [seven hundred thousand] deaths annually. Now it is estimated that there are two million cases and one thousand deaths annually (but WHO claims that there are actually fifteen million cases out of which two to three thousand are fatal).

So there! We have the entire dossier on the Malaria Mafia and the bio-pathological war they wage on humans with history and statistics complete. Of course, if you want any more details, like the names of victims, mug shots of the culprits et al, then I suggest that Your High Inquisitiveness contact the WHO or other health organisations that support the Pathogen Police in their noble efforts.

Dr. Babu is a fellow of many societies including – the Indian Society of Malaria and other Communicable Diseases, the Zoological Society of India and the Indian Society of Vector and Vector Borne Diseases. He travels widely on official assignments, attends international conferences and is consulted frequently by various organisations and the press regarding health issues.

Thanks to the Pathogen Police the statistics prove that we’re a lot safer from the Malaria Mafia. Of course, the numbers would be lower if people get educated on prevention and cure. It was enlightening for me to meet a man like this one. I’ve suffered from malaria more than thrice (one being nearly fatal), so I’d heed his advice. Hope you do the same.

~ by Prick on February 11, 2009.