Cambodia reports 13,700 malaria cases in 5 months, killing 4 people

Cambodia reported 13,700 malaria cases in the first five months of this year, down 60 percent from 31,100 cases in the same period last year, the National Center for Malaria reported Monday. From January to May this year, the disease killed 4 people, a sharp decrease compared with 27 deaths in the same period last year, the report said. Dr. Char Meng Chuor, head of the center, said the remarkable decline was thanks to mosquito net distribution and awareness campaign. Last year, more than a million of mosquito nets were given free-of-charge to the vulnerable groups of people throughout the country. He said the country is committed to eliminating the disease by 2025. Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease. In Cambodia, the disease is often found in rainy season and mostly happens in forest and mountainous areas, particularly provinces along the border. Last year, the country recorded 45,553 cases of malaria, killing 45 people, the report said.