![Cambodia has seen a one-third rise in malaria cases over the past year. [ABC]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200903/r350048_2836313.jpg "Cambodia has seen a one-third rise in malaria cases over the past year. [ABC]")
PHOTO
Cambodia has seen a one-third rise in malaria cases over the past year. [ABC]
Robert Carmichael, Phnom Penh
Cambodian health authorities say deaths and infections from malaria have risen sharply with its leading malaria expert saying that 279 people died from the disease last year - an increase of one-third on 2008.
Dr Duong Socheat says the number of people infected with the mosquito-borne parasite also increased from 58,000 to around 80,000.
He blames the rise on last year's early arrival of rains and the late distribution of mosquito nets. And, he says, more people are moving to forested areas - which increases the risk of contracting malaria.
The numbers mark a reversal of the decline in malaria infections and deaths seen over the past decade.
They also raise doubts about Cambodia's ability to reach its United Nations-backed Millennium Development Goals to cut malaria deaths.
Dr Duong Socheat says the number of people infected with the mosquito-borne parasite also increased from 58,000 to around 80,000.
He blames the rise on last year's early arrival of rains and the late distribution of mosquito nets. And, he says, more people are moving to forested areas - which increases the risk of contracting malaria.
The numbers mark a reversal of the decline in malaria infections and deaths seen over the past decade.
They also raise doubts about Cambodia's ability to reach its United Nations-backed Millennium Development Goals to cut malaria deaths.
No comments:
Post a Comment