Malaria in ASEAN Countries: Yes, malaria remains endemic in several ASEAN countries, though the prevalence has declined significantly in recent years due to control efforts.
- Key Countries Affected:
- Myanmar: Highest burden in the region, with an estimated 140,000 cases in 2022 (WHO).
- Indonesia: ~200,000 cases annually, concentrated in Papua and West Papua provinces.
- Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Philippines: Lower transmission, but sporadic outbreaks persist.
- Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand: Near elimination; Thailand reported <10,000 cases in 2022.
- Rationale: The WHO Southeast Asia Region (including ASEAN) accounted for ~3% of global malaria cases in 2022, with Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax as dominant species. Control measures (e.g., insecticide-treated nets, artemisinin-based therapy) have reduced incidence, but challenges include drug resistance (e.g., artemisinin resistance in the Greater Mekong Subregion) and cross-border transmission.
Sources:
- WHO Malaria Report 2023.
- ASEAN Malaria Elimination Strategy (2017–2030).