PUTRAJAYA: New vector control methods are needed to address the zoonotic malaria infection threat in the country, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic).
She said the ministry was currently implementing vector control methods through residual insecticide spraying, the use of medicated mosquito nets and artemisinin combination therapy.
“The ministry needs to identify new methods to control this infection because zoonotic malaria can result in severe malaria infection and possibly death if it is diagnosed and treated late.
“Unlike cases of human malaria infection, the transmission of zoonotic malaria infection usually occurs outdoors,” she told a press conference after officiating at the Tropical Infectious Disease Conference 2023 here yesterday.
According to Dr Zaliha, a total of 527 malaria cases, including 460 zoonotic cases, were reported in the 10th epidemiological week this year.
This was an increase of 30.4% from the 404 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Plasmodium knowlesi is a malaria parasite whose natural hosts are macaques.
It is typically transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the Anopheles group.
In another development, Dr Zaliha said her ministry had held discussions with the Public Services Department regarding the overtime payment issue involving health workers, which had gone viral recently.
Last Friday, the health ministry announced the extension of operating hours of 52 health clinics nationwide to reduce overcrowding in emergency departments. — Bernama
