Current malaria situation in Asia-Oceania

Abstract

Asia-Oceania is a diverse region that comprises roughly 65% of the global population at risk for malaria. In 2016 WHO estimated the number of malaria cases across the Asia-Oceania to be 17 million, which is only a small part (8%) of the total global malaria burden, and the number of cases is shrinking rapidly. Most countries have brought their cases down to the point where elimination is in sight. Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) is becoming the dominant malaria species in many of those countries, where malaria occurs in hot spots of transmission frequently along international borders. The challenge is now to concentrate on those areas. This chapter reviews the situation in various areas of the Region and focuses on a number of important issues, including the prevalence of P. vivax and drug-resistant malaria.