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By NewsDesk    @infectiousdiseasenews

Health officials in Malaysia are investigating a malaria cluster in Kuala Lipis, Pahang state. On July 11, 2019, a case of four (4) cases of malaria-confirmed cases was reported to Kuala Lipis District Health Office (PKD) from Betau Health Clinic. All cases involving Orang Asli children aged 4 to 10 are from two villages, two (2) cases from Kampung Pagar and Kampung Serdang.

Mature Plasmodium vivax schizont/CDC

All cases have been taken to the Kuala Lipis Hospital ward and given treatment.

Kuala Lipis has not reported a malaria case for the past 8 years,  the last case was reported in 2011.

The Pahang State Health Department has activated the Epidemic Room on July 12, 2019 and control activities and case detection (Active Case Detection) conducted by Kuala Lipis PKD Team in Kampung Pagar and Kampung Serdang.

A total of 393 blood slides have been taken from residents in both villages for microscopic testing. Initial examination of the slide, PKD found 11 more malaria infections in Kampung Serdang.

From July 11 to July 15, 2019, there have been 15 cases reported from these two villages. All cases have been diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax and have been hospitalized for treatment and in stable condition.

PKD has also carried out malaria control activities by conducting indoor Indoor Residual Spraying and distribution of mosquito nets in the affected locality. At this point, the PKD team is in the process of tracking cases and vector control activities.

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Residents in the locality have been given health education to take preventive measures by wearing clothing that covers the limbs and use repellents to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, residents are advised to sleep in the mosquito nets and avoid activities that are carried in or near the forest area at night.

The Ministry of Health is monitoring the occurrence of this malaria case cluster and the collaboration of the public is very much needed to ensure that the incidence of malaria can be controlled.