Malaria threat in Malaysia currently comes from macaques

KUALA LUMPUR - World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25, with the World Health Organization (WHO) selecting a different theme each year to highlight key aspects of malaria prevention and control.

The theme for 2025 is “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, calling for renewed global commitment and innovation in the fight to eliminate malaria.

While significant progress has been made, challenges such as drug resistance, climate change and zoonotic malaria continue to threaten malaria control efforts.

To achieve a malaria-free future, there is an urgent need to reinvest in research and healthcare, reimagine new solutions, and reignite a global commitment to reduce the burden of this disease worldwide.

From macaques to humans

Zoonotic malaria, primarily caused by the parasite Plasmodium knowlesi, is transmitted to humans when an Anopheles mosquito feeds on infected macaques and subsequently bites a human.

It represents a significant challenge because zoonotic malaria introduces a new dynamic in malaria transmission, where the primary host is not human, but wildlife, making it more difficult to control and predict.

Countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have seen an increase in P. knowlesi malaria cases, often in forested areas where humans and macaques share habitats.

The rise in zoonotic malaria has been linked to factors such as deforestation, land-use changes, and the expansion of human settlements into previously untouched wildlife areas.

These environmental changes facilitate closer contact between humans, mosquitoes and macaques, increasing the likelihood of zoonotic transmission.

As such, this form of malaria presents a unique public health challenge that requires a broader focus on environmental health and wildlife conservation.

The situation in Malaysia

Malaysia has made remarkable progress in the fight against malaria, particularly with the successful eradication of indigenous human malaria since 2018.

The country has significantly reduced malaria transmission, largely