By Kantarawaddy Times
Malaria cases have been increasing in many Townships across Karenni State since May. There have been large numbers of positive malaria tests in Mese, Hpasawng, Demoso, Hpruso, and Loikaw Townships this rainy season, according to local health workers.
“These days if people are sick, they are most likely infected by malaria. Many patients are testing positive for malaria. Out of every 10 sick patients about six or seven are infected with malaria,” a health worker from Hpruso Township told Kantarawaddy Times.
The health worker said that malaria spreads through mosquito bites, so people need to use mosquito nets to prevent mosquitos from biting them. To resist malaria it is important for people to take care of their health and maintain a strong immune system, he said.
“People can prevent mosquito bites by sleeping inside mosquito nets. But some large families do not have enough mosquito nets for all family members,” a different local health worker told Kantarawaddy Times.
Resistance fighters on the front line are also suffering from malaria. They are requesting medicine, mosquito repellent cream and mosquito nets.
“Our soldiers returning from the Hpasawng and Mawchi areas have been sick and many have tested positive for malaria. We are unable to provide them with enough mosquito nets, mosquito repellent cream or medicines to treat malaria,” a member of a resistance group told Kantarawaddy Times.
Malaria is an infection caused by single-celled parasites which are part of the Plasmodium genus, often Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum in Southeast Asia. Health workers report that important medicines for the treatment of malaria in Southeast Asia include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, and tafenoquine.
