Going beyond research to help us stay ahead of the dreaded mosquito

More than new research, better monitoring of vector-borne diseases and a safer environment are what can help us stay ahead of the mosquito, writes Ritwik Sharma

It’s that time of the year. Across much of India, the monsoon rains have brought respite from the blazing summer months. And just as inevitably, the mosquito and its sting is following it up like a party pooper. Fever accompanied by chills, joint and muscle pain, rashes et al are all too common symptoms as every second person contracts one or the other mosquito-borne disease.

The threat of these ailments refuses to die down, despite a decline in malaria cases that has enthused the Indian government to set a target of eliminating the disease by 2030. In recent years, dengue