Media sources report on WHO’s call for renewed focus on vector-borne disease control for World Health Day 2014, recognized on April 7.

VOA News: Global Threat of Vector-borne Diseases Grows
“The United Nations and international agencies are warning more than half the world’s population is at risk from the growing threat of vector-borne diseases. In advance of World Health Day, the agencies are urging nations to act to contain these often fatal, debilitating diseases…” (Schlein, 4/4).

World Health Organization: World Health Day 2014: Preventing vector-borne diseases
“… Every year, more than one billion people are infected and more than one million die from vector-borne diseases. This World Health Day — 7 April — WHO is highlighting the serious and increasing threat of vector-borne diseases, with the slogan ‘Small bite, big threat’. … WHO is calling for a renewed focus on vector control and better provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene — key strategies outlined in WHO’s 2011 Roadmap for the control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases, which sets targets for the period 2012-2020” (4/2).