Question: Up to the age of 20 I lived in Malaysia Singapore and North Borneo - born 1953. Is is possible that during that time I contracted either malaria or dengue and because it was never treated it is still in my system. Answer: While there is some evidence of long term clinical symptoms associated with dengue infection, I have not heard of a case that would have persisted across multiple … [Read more...]
A Rare Form of Malaria Is Spreading in Malaysia
A rare and sometimes lethal form of malaria usually found only in monkeys is becoming so common in Malaysia that it accounts for most malaria hospitalizations there, scientists have found.In the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo, a parasite called Plasmodium knowlesi causes severe malaria three times as often as Plasmodium falciparum, which has long been considered the deadliest form of the … [Read more...]
New Partners Join the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN)
The Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) has announced two new Partner Institutions have joined the organization: The Mahidol Vivax Research Center and the Malaria Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. The Mahidol Vivax Research Center (MVRC) established in March 2011 is dedicated to the study of Plasmodium vivax and non falciparum malaria. Its establishment at Mahidol … [Read more...]
Paludrine/Avloclor Anti Malaria Travel Pack
QUESTION Is this anti malaria travel pack suitable for Borneo? ANSWER This kit is NOT appropriate for preventing malaria in Borneo. Avloclor contain chloroquine phosphate, and some types of malaria present in Borneo are resistant to chloroquine. The CDC recommends that travelers to Malaysian or Indonesian Borneo should use atovaquone-proguanil (Paludrine contains proguanil, but the … [Read more...]
What countries have malaria?
QUESTION In which countries can it be found? ANSWER Malaria is found in many parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. The exact distribution depends on climatic variables (namely heat and sufficient rainfall, for the development of the mosquitoes which transmit malaria) and also how successful a particular country or region has been at controlling malaria. For example, … [Read more...]
Tested Positive for Malaria
QUESTION I was found with malaria 0.25% positive in my test report..... will this make to reject my application from a Malaysian university? ANSWER Malaria is an infection with a parasite of the genus Plasmodium; all types are very treatable, and so even if you have tested positive, you can easily get medication which will allow you to recover fully from the disease. While some … [Read more...]
Does Malaria Still Exist?
QUESTION does malaria still exist? ANSWER Yes, malaria still exists, and is responsible for 250 million cases of illness every year, of which about 700,000 result in death. So it is a very serious global health problem! Some countries, such as the United States, have managed to successfully eliminate malaria through a combination of vector control strategies (i.e. spraying for … [Read more...]
Diagnosing Malaria
QUESTION Where in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) can I diagnose malaria? Is it possible within 24 hours? ANSWER Given that malaria is endemic in Malaysia (though not usually found in Kuala Lumpar) you should be able to get a malaria test at most clinics or hospitals. The most common test is a thick and thin blood film, read under the microscope by a qualified technician—in some places, clinics … [Read more...]
Malaria in Africa
QUESTION Why do Africans catch malaria more than others? ANSWER There are a number of reasons why malaria is more widespread in Africa than in many other parts of the world. However, it is worth mentioning that other parts of the world, such as India and south-east Asia, also have very high prevalence of malaria, especially in rural areas. The high transmission of malaria is Africa is … [Read more...]
Malaria in Malaysia
QUESTION: Is there malaria in Malaysia? ANSWER: Yes, there is malaria in Malaysia, although efficient vector control campaigns, alongside a well-functioning health system which effectively diagnoses and treats malaria cases has vastly reduced the transmission of the disease in peninsular Malaysia at least. Transmission is still a problem in rural, interior areas, and especially in Sabah … [Read more...]