WHO Western Pacific region data from the 2020 World Malaria Report signalled that about 80 percent of cases in 2019 were reported by Papua New Guinea. Without PNG’s burden of disease, the region is almost on track to meet the malaria morbidity and mortality milestones set in the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030. Six countries recorded a 90 percent reduction in malaria cases between 2000-2019 - Cambodia, China’s Yunnan Province, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. In the report, a warning was delivered that ‘progress against malaria continues to plateau, particularly in high burden countries in Africa’ while the pandemic is certain to cause disruptions to prevention and treatment services. Africa carries more than 90 percent of the overall global burden, but just six countries account for half of all malaria cases: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Niger, Mozambique and Burkina Faso. Global malaria statistics have more or less plateaued since 2015: last year there were 229 million cases and the death toll was slightly lower than in 2018 (409,000 cf. 411,000).
Advice for travellers
Travelvax recommends that travellers planning a visit to malarious regions discuss their itinerary and preventative measures, including medication, during a pre-travel medical consultation. More on malaria.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.