A simple mosquito bite? Who worries about that? Certainly not me! After all, growing up I had many years of experience playing outdoors or at the beach without even thinking about insect repellent. But I\u2019ve since learned that not everyone can take a simple mosquito bite as lightly. My nonchalant attitude was completely shattered, initially with a visit to Kenya a couple of years ago, and more recently by visits to Ethiopia and Haiti.<\/p>\n
In Kenya, I witnessed a child so violently ill with little or no hope for recovery. There were no resources to treat his illness which was suspected to be malaria. All from a simple mosquito bite? Should I be concerned for myself or for others who I traveled with? No problem. We had taken protective and preventive measures like medications, protective clothing, repellent, bed nets, and adequate health care if needed once we returned home. So a simple mosquito bite \u2013 no problem. We were okay.<\/p>\n
In Ethiopia and Haiti, we followed the same pattern \u2013 medications, bed nets, and the like. But all around us, the ravages of a simple mosquito bit were very real. As our guides constantly reminded us to use our repellent and our beds nets, I looked around at others who had no long sleeves or long pants, and some who had no clothes; I saw those would be sleeping on mud floors with no beds to put nets over even if they had them, and I knew that a simple mosquito bite was not that simple at all.<\/p>\n
If we can prevent malaria for some, can we stop it for all? Yes, we can! Join the efforts of others in ending malaria on World Malaria Day, April 25, 2010.<\/p>\n
Debbie Blue<\/p>\n
Executive Minister Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice<\/p>\n