With a hot and humid climate, changing agricultural practices, unplanned urbanisation and poor sanitary conditions, India offers the perfect geological setting for the transmission of vector-borne diseases. The distribution of such diseases involves complex dynamics including numerous social as well as environmental reasons.
Let us first find out, what is vector-borne disease? These diseases are the result of pathogen transmission. Vectors are organisms that help in transmitting pathogens like parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Typical vectors include mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, and black flies.
As discussed earlier, the transmission of pathogens causes the spread of vector-borne diseases. The vectors are usually blood-sucking organisms. They are capable of transmitting infectious pathogens from one human to another. In this way, they can spread diseases widely. Typically, tropical and subtropical regions with a poor population suffer from most of these diseases.
Besides favourable geographical conditions, improper hygiene and sanitary services also contribute to the spread of diseases. Examples of vector-borne diseases (VBD) are Malaria, Dengue, Yellow fever, Chikungunya, Lymphatic filariasis, and Zika. Most of the vector carried diseases in India are through mosquitoes.
Symptoms vary from vector to vector. But, to know whether you are suffering from VBD, look out for these common signs
More severe symptoms include
Depending on the vector type, the vector-borne disease can be categorised as
Vector-Borne Diseases can be further classified based on the type of pathogen transmitted. For example, Dengue is caused by virus transmission by mosquitoes. On the other hand, Plague is caused by bacterial transmission through flies.
The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) had taken the initiative to reduce the cases of VBD like Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, etc. by 2017. NVBDCP, the central organization is responsible for preventing and controlling six vector-borne diseases, including
As part of the surveillance network for rural areas of India, the Indian Government also runs a vector-borne disease monitoring system.
It is rightly said, "Prevention is better than cure." To avoid these vector-borne diseases, prevention is crucial. Here are some measures that you can take
| Name of the Plan | Best Features |
|---|---|
| Future Generali Future Vector Care Plan |
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| Bajaj Allianz M-Care Health Insurance |
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| IFFCO TOKIO MOS-BITE Protection Plan |
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Vector-borne diseases are on the rise. It is possible to get sick even after taking all the necessary precautions. Unpredicted illness, along with huge hospital bills, can be a burden. Health insurance comes into the picture to handle uncertainty in a more prepared way. But why should you consider buying one? Even if you are sound and fit. Here are some reasons to rethink.
Insurance policies for vector-borne diseases cover a variety of diseases. It also covers pre and post-hospitalization costs, ICU, and special room rent. Varieties of customisable plans are available with both reimbursement and cashless options. The benefits are great!
More than 17 per cent of infectious disease cases in the world are caused by vector-borne diseases. You are your most important asset, health insurance can safeguard this asset in the "what if'' situations.
Save your savings with insurance. It is possible to save your savings by your spending plan - No sudden expenditure.
Let's say you have saved a certain amount of money for any sudden medical needs. Do you think that savings would be enough even after many years? Catering to medical inflation can be done through the right health insurance plan.
If you are buying health insurance, it is essential to read the entire policy wording from beginning to end. Read all benefits, inclusions, and exclusions. Look for a plan with maximum coverage and minor exclusions. The standard inclusions in every vector-borne disease-specific insurance are
If you are diagnosed with VBD, the insurance company will bear your hospital room charges, ICU charges, doctor fees, etc.
The insurance policy will also cover pre and post-medical charges like medicine costs and follow-up fees after the hospital treatment.
Some insurance companies offer free annual checkups for blood sugar, kidney functions, and ECG on claim-free renewals, while some offer every alternate year for adults covered under the plan.
Some benefits that are usually excluded from vector-borne centric insurance are:
Insurance claims money is not for the expenses spent on blood or urine tests for diagnosing the vector disease.
If you already have the disease, before buying insurance, you cannot file a claim for the vector-borne illness. You need to wait for the initial waiting period in order to file a claim.
Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunia, and Kala Azar are India's four major vector-borne diseases.
Yes, vector-borne diseases are common infectious diseases. More than 17% of all infectious diseases are vector-borne.
Many insurance companies have one-time pay premium plans for VBD specific insurance. A few companies have monthly premiums as low as 129 rupees per month, but the coverage of such plans is less.
VBD insurance pays you a lump sum to treat vector-borne diseases in a hospital. The insurance coverage includes inpatient hospitalisation charges, and pre and post-hospitalisation costs.
Malaria, Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Kala-azar are some common VBDs
Headache, nausea, joint and muscle pain, fever with cold chills
In VBD transmission, the pathogen is the cause of the disease, while a vector is the carrier of a pathogen.
Eating wild animal meat or handling it can transmit the Ebola virus to humans. No evidence suggests that mosquitoes or other insects can transmit Ebola
Influenza transmission is primarily by respiratory droplets. It can spread through the air if an infectious person coughs and sneezes. So, it is an airborne disease and not a VBD.
