Cambodia is on track to achieve its malaria-free target by the end of 2025, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet. Marking National Malaria Day, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s remarkable progress, citing a 75% decline in malaria cases in 2024 compared to the previous year, with only 355 cases reported and no related deaths since 2018.
Addressing the nation, Hun Manet emphasized the absence of local Plasmodium falciparum cases since 2024—a significant milestone in Cambodia’s malaria elimination efforts. “Cambodia is on the verge of achieving a malaria-free goal by the end of 2025,” he said, calling on continued collaboration among all stakeholders to sustain the momentum.
Dr. Huy Rekol, Director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, attributed the success to effective diagnosis and treatment protocols. “The use of Artesunate/Mefloquine (ASMQ) has proven to be 100% safe and effective in combating malaria,” he told Xinhua News Agency.
Malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease, remains a seasonal threat, particularly in forested and mountainous regions during the rainy season. Dr. Rekol advised residents in high-risk areas to consistently use insecticide-treated mosquito nets as a primary preventive measure.
Malaria symptoms range from mild—such as fever, chills, and headache—to severe manifestations including confusion, seizures, and respiratory distress. Vulnerable populations include infants, young children, pregnant women, travelers, and individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS.
The disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, though blood transfusions and contaminated needles can also spread the infection. If left untreated, particularly in the case of P. falciparum, malaria can escalate rapidly, leading to severe illness or death within 24 hours.
As Cambodia approaches its 2025 target, health authorities and development partners are reinforcing strategies to ensure the sustainability of malaria control efforts, securing the country’s place among global leaders in malaria elimination.
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