KAPIT: People who work in a country with a malaria problem or work in a forest area for a long period of time need to seek advice from the nearest Health Office.
According to Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang when returning from abroad they need to undergo a medical examination including malaria screening and if there are any symptoms, they need to seek treatment immediately.
He said that malaria is not only an infectious disease, but can be fatal to those infected if it is not detected and treated early.
“This disease also causes patients to feel miserable due to fever, joint pain, muscle pain, anaemia and so on.
“Therefore, if you or a family member has a fever and has a history of carrying out activities at risk of being infected with malaria, it is advised to seek early treatment.
“More importantly take medicine as advised by the doctor in order to be more effective and avoid complications of the disease which can be fatal,” he said when officiating at the State Level World Malaria Day at Kapit Town Square, today.
He said that malaria cases in Sarawak peaked in 1999 with 3,155 cases and 2010 with a total of 2,802 cases.
“In any case, starting in 2016, Sarawak managed to achieve the target of zero cases of local (indigenous) human malaria infection and has maintained that achievement until now,” he said.
In 2016, a total of 1,064 malaria cases were recorded, namely 823 zoonotic malaria infections and 241 imported human malaria infections with one death.
In 2017 (1,442 cases: 1224 zoonotic, 218 imported) with three deaths; 2018 (1,551 cases: 1246 zoonotic, 309 imported) with five deaths; 2019 (1,551 cases: 1,246 zoonotic, 309 imported) with five deaths; 2020 (862 cases: 757 zoonotic, 105 imported) with one death and 2021 (1,057 cases: 974 zoonotic; 83 imported) with six deaths.
Aaron reminded officials and health personnel to always be aware of groups at risk of malaria infection in their respective health facility operating areas.
“Government or private agencies in commercial sectors such as plantations, mining, construction and so on need to play an important role especially when it comes to foreign workers.
“All foreign workers should go through a medical examination including malaria screening according to the policy set by the government for foreign workers working in Sarawak,” he said.
The event was organised by the State Health Department together with the Kapit Resident’s Office under the theme ‘Harness Innovation To Reduce The Malaria Disease Burden And Save Lives’.
