The number of malaria cases has dropped significantly.

Since the beginning of the year, the number of malaria cases in Khanh Hoa province has decreased significantly, by 91% compared to the same period last year. This result is thanks to the health sector's combination of many malaria prevention and control measures. Among them, screening and قطع off the source of infection have been given top priority.

Cut off the source of infection.

According to information from the Provincial Center for Disease Control, since the beginning of the year, the total number of malaria cases recorded in the province has been 11; all cases were detected and treated promptly, with no deaths due to malaria. Of the malaria cases, 10 were recorded in Khanh Vinh district, and 1 case was a resident of Dak Lak province, detected in Ninh Hoa town. Compared to the same period last year, the number of cases decreased by 91% (122 cases). Many communes that were previously malaria hotspots in Khanh Vinh district now have no cases or only record 1 to 2 cases every few months.

Village health workers are raising awareness about malaria among residents of Khanh Vinh district.

In 2024, Khanh Hoa province had the highest number of malaria cases in the country with 199 cases, averaging 16 cases per month. Determined to significantly reduce the number of malaria cases, the health sector and local authorities identified the most important task as screening and cutting off the source of infection. Therefore, people who go into the forest, those who sleep in field watchtowers, and laborers working in areas near forests were identified as high-risk groups. Following the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, by the end of 2024, 100% of communes and towns in Khanh Vinh district had reviewed and updated the list of people who regularly go into the forest and fields, totaling over 1,380 people; and established rapid response teams in 14 communes and towns. In particular, in the three communes with the highest number of malaria cases – Khanh Thuong, Khanh Dong, and Khanh Phu – the local authorities established 10 checkpoints at forest entrances to manage and screen high-risk individuals. At the same time, proactive screening and blood tests are being conducted to detect cases and provide early treatment. In addition, local authorities in communes and towns are managing the number of people working at facilities that purchase and harvest planted forests, and laborers at construction sites near forests, encouraging them to get regular malaria screening tests. In some cases, health workers even go to the edge of the forest to collect samples for testing.

Dr. Ton That Toan, Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial Center for Disease Control, said: "Thanks to continuous screening and testing, cases of malaria are detected very early by the health sector and treated immediately. At the same time, we encourage people to sleep under mosquito nets and apply mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito bites that transmit the disease."

Combining the implementation of multiple solutions

The Provincial Center for Disease Control proactively implemented epidemiological and vector surveillance in the localities of Khanh Hiep, Khanh Dong, Khanh Thuong (Khanh Vinh district), and Son Tan (Cam Lam district), with a total of over 3,600 blood samples tested; malaria insect surveys collected 10 species of Anopheles mosquitoes, including the capture of the main disease vector, Anopheles dirus (Khanh Hiep commune). Simultaneously, insecticide-treated mosquito nets and chemical spraying were carried out for thousands of households; 500 mosquito nets were distributed to high-risk individuals in localities of Khanh Vinh district; and over 95% of people working in forests or sleeping in fields were encouraged to use insecticide-treated mosquito nets and apply mosquito repellent cream. To support the locality in blocking the source of malaria transmission, the Quy Nhon Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology sent three working groups to Khanh Hoa to screen and test for sources of infection.

Dr. Ton That Toan stated: “The malaria prevention and control work has achieved high effectiveness thanks to the attention and guidance of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Health; the support of the Quy Nhon Institute of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology in malaria prevention and control in the area. Along with that is the timely exchange of health information between levels; and the proactive investigation and surveillance of malaria from the provincial level to the grassroots… However, this work still faces difficulties because key malaria-prone areas are inhabited by ethnic minorities, whose economic lives are still difficult, and whose work is often tied to farming and logging in forests where malaria is endemic, making them susceptible to malaria; and the movement of people (mainly forest and farming workers) from these localities into malaria-endemic areas is very difficult to control. For sustainable and stable malaria prevention and control, more attention from all levels of government, departments, organizations, and the people is needed. Communication efforts are also necessary.” "We will continue to intensify efforts, focusing on communication to encourage people to proactively get tested, especially if they experience fever after returning from forests or fields; they should immediately go to medical facilities for testing."

From now until the end of the year, the health sector will continue to monitor the malaria situation in localities, proactively organize epidemiological surveillance and malaria vector surveillance in key communes of Khanh Vinh district. At the same time, it will train health units throughout the province on microscopic examination of malaria bacteria; direct localities to increase blood sample collection for malaria testing; conduct health education and communication on malaria prevention and control; and implement activities of projects supporting the malaria program…

Malaria is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The disease is primarily transmitted through the bloodstream via the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes carrying the parasite. When an Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, it carries the pathogen and then bites a healthy person, transmitting the parasite. With proper treatment, malaria can be completely cured. However, severe malaria can lead to dangerous complications such as organ failure, pulmonary edema, and cerebral malaria, which can cause coma, seizures, and death.

C.DAN

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/y-te-suc-khoe/202506/so-ca-mac-sot-ret-giam-sau-d984859/