Hiv, Vih, Aids, Sida, And Pwas

Mosquitoes have an awful reputation, they aren't just annoying, but are above all known to transmit a number of diseases. Malaria is one of them, a disease which continues to afflict some 200 million patients each year, killing more than 600,000. We shouldn't blame the mosquitoes - they only want a drop of blood now and then. The pathogen is a one-celled animal of the Plasmodium genus and recent findings have shown that the two, mosquito and Plasmodium, have been around since pre-human times. They have been discovered together in amber fossils! Note World United Against Malaria logo in the stamp, 1962.

The name malaria comes from the Latin mal'aria for "bad air". Bad air (smelly?) may be a common denominator to areas with pools of standing water or puddles of stagnant water in which mosquitoes tend to thrive. Malaria was thought to be carried by bad air. The connection between puddles, mosquitoes and malaria wasn't understood till 1897. Pietro Barucci (1845-1917) painted the Pontine Marshes close to Rome, an area infested with the Anopheles mosquito carrying malaria. Moroccan swamp stamp of 1962.

The name malaria ('bad air') has remained although the French term 'paludisme' is actually more realistic; marsh fever or swamp fever since malaria is not air-borne except for the mosquitoes flying through the air!! Stamps were issued for the WHO campaign against malaria from April 1962 through December 1962. About 100 postal administrations participated. France issued this one on the 16th of April.

An anti-malaria swamp stamp issued in 1962. Spain was one of the last countries in Western Europe to be declared free of malaria by the WHO in 1964. The original word for malaria in Spanish "Paludism" is from the Latin word "Palus" for swamp, pool; as above in French. The beautiful marshes of the Donana used to harbor vectors, now it is free of malaria, and a paradise for bird-watchers.

Nigeria is one of the few countries to issue a stamp, 1962, showing the larvae of mosquitoes. They featured a Culex species, but Anopheles is the major carrier of malaria and its larvae tend to stay at the under-surface of water, whereas other species hang down and dive down. B in the diagram indicates the breathing tube.

Malaria was defeated in the USSR by the 1930s. For example, the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus from the main region of malaria has become a resort. Recent cases of malaria occurred in 1959

Monaco issued a pretty anti-malaria swamp stamp in 1962. The tiny country doesn't have any swamps with Anopheles mosquitoes itself, but has been supporting WHO efforts to curb the disease in other countries.

Hi Alexey! Your mosquito looks very dangerous with that big stinger. K.

The earliest depiction of a malaria mosquito was issued by Mexico in 1939! This one was used for two additional issues, 1944 and 1947. Some areas of Mexico are still not entirely free of Malaria; warning to travelers by the CDC.

A few days ago it was World Health Day. Switzerland issued a stamp for the current world health crisis: each stamp costs 5 francs which is then donated to those who need assistance. Postage itself is paid by the post office! The design by Alexandra Steiner shows happy people all over the world celebrating - solidarity overcomes covid19!

The Tunesian anti-malaria stamp of 1962 is one of the most drastic - designed by the famous artist Mekki. Tunesia has been free of malaria for many decades, but is very aware of the possibility that the pathogen can be reintroduced by travelers from sub-Saharan countries.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's new stamp with the corona topic shows how the pandemic has so far dominated 2020.

In its new stamp Iran pays tribute to the medical teams helping those with covid-19 infections. The country was one of the first to be overwhelmed by the pandemic. The V for victory gives hope.

Indonesia's corona stamps pay tribute to medical teams all over the world. On one side virus particles are shown, on the other there are a few red blood cells because it is in the blood stream that antibodies would be found in survivors. (Note: virus particles are much smaller than red blood cells.)

One of the new Covid-19 stamps of Viet Nam also pays tribute to all the people, from police personnel to medical doctors, who help those affected by the virus. So far Viet Nam has kept the rate of infection very low.

The second Covid-19 stamp issued by Viet Nam shows laboratory specialists at work in full protective gear analyzing tests. It can be extremely strenuous to work in such outfits. The raised fist symbolizes solidarity in the fight. Note the background pattern of the world's flags, and the 'pentagon rising' in green.