KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia faces an additional threat in the form of increasing zoonotic malaria infections.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said zoonotic malaria infections nationwide had increased drastically from 376 cases in 2008 to 3,575 in 2021.
He said the mosquito borne disease had emerged as the leading cause of malaria deaths in Malaysia since 2017.
"Malaysia also faces a new and greater threat of increased zoonotic malaria infections caused by the Plasmodium knowlesi parasite. It is transmitted between animals (apes/macaques) and humans through mosquito vectors.
"In contrast to human malaria, the spread of zoonotic malaria infection frequently occurs outdoors," he said in a statement in conjunction with the national-level Malaria Day today.
The minister said that the increase in cases was because of aggressive land clearing for farming, which increased human-animal exposure. Animals are the natural hosts for zoonotic malaria.
"Currently, existing malaria treatments are effective for zoonotic malaria. The challenge for the Health Ministry (MoH) in tackling this infection is the lack of effective vector control methods to curb transmission outside the home.
"Therefore, if a person has symptoms of fever and has a history of going into areas at risk of malaria or just returning from malaria-endemic countries, it is necessary they immediately get treatment at a health facility.
"Employees involved in the plantation and forestry sectors are also encouraged to undergo regular malaria screening.
"Individuals can also practice malaria infection prevention such as wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and having mosquito repellents ready when they are in risky areas," he said.
He attributed the success to MoH's strategies and innovations, including the use of Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT), residual insecticide spraying (IRS), and the use of medicated mosquito nets.
However, Khairy said Malaysia was still exposed to the risk of human malaria infection among newly arrived foreign workers, as the country reported 111 imported human malaria cases last year.
He said Malaysia had once recorded zero human Malaria infections for four consecutive years, between 2018 and 2021.
"To address the threat, the ministry has since begun screenings for malaria at selected entry points and mapping areas, as well as implementing preventive interventions, including vector control activities.
"In addition, the MOH has identified risky sectors such as the plantations and forestry to focus on implementing malaria surveillance activities," he said.
The theme of the World Malaria Day this year is 'Harness Innovation to Reduce the Malaria Disease Burden and Save Lives'.
The day is marked on April 25 in recognition of the global efforts in controlling malaria.