World Malaria Day is observed on 25 April every year to raise global awareness about malaria. Malaria is caused by blood parasites from the genus Plasmodium and is transmitted through the bites of female mosquitoes from the genus Anopheles. The parasites present in the mosquito are transferred into the human bloodstream during the bite. Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 282 million malaria cases with 610 thousand deaths across 80 countries. Malaria occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, with the majority of cases and deaths reported in the African region. A smaller proportion of cases are also reported in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific regions. Certain individuals are more susceptible to severe malaria. Children under five years old, pregnant women, and patients with HIV/AIDS are among the high-risk groups. In addition, travelers entering areas with high malaria transmission are also at risk of contracting the disease. Malaria symptoms usually appear within 10–15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Early symptoms include fever, headache, and chills, which may be difficult to distinguish from other infections. As some types of malaria can lead to serious complications and death, early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate treatment are crucial. Therefore, individuals who fall ill and have a history of travel to high-risk areas are advised to seek medical attention for early diagnosis and treatment. Individuals planning to travel to malaria-risk areas are also advised to consult a doctor before departure to determine appropriate preventive measures. The following are the preventive measures that travelers can adopt based on the ABCDE principles in malaria prevention (adapted from the World Health Organization, International Travel and Health: Chapter 7 – Malaria): Awareness of the risk Understand the disease risk, incubation period, the possibility of delayed symptom onset, and the main symptoms of the disease Bite prevention Avoid mosquito bites, especially from dusk to dawn Chemoprophylaxis Take antimalarial medication (chemoprophylaxis) when recommended, according to the prescribed schedule •Diagnosis Seek immediate medical examination and treatment if experiencing fever after one week in a risk area, or up to 3 months (or longer) after returning from the area Environment Avoid outdoor activities in mosquito breeding areas such as swamps, especially in the late afternoon and at night In conclusion, malaria is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease can be treated with early diagnosis and effective treatment. Without early diagnosis and proper treatment, malaria can become severe and lead to death. Therefore, preventive measures are very important, including for travellers visiting malaria transmission areas. References: World Health Organization. Malaria: Questions and Answers [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; [cited 2026 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malaria World Health Organization. Malaria [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; [cited 2026 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/malaria Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Ensiklopedia Penyakit Berjangkit. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka; 2023. World Health Organization. International Travel and Health: Chapter 7 – Malaria [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 [cited 2026 Apr 22]. Available from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/travel-and-health/9789241580472-eng-chapter-7.pdf   Prepared by: Prof. Dr. Syafinaz Binti Amin Nordin Department of Medical Microbiology Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah,UPM

Date of Input: 24/04/2026 | Updated: 27/04/2026 | ahmadfaiq