Plasmodium vivax malaria in Cambodia

Abstract

The Cambodian National Strategic Plan for Elimination of Malaria aims to move step by step toward elimination of malaria across Cambodia with an initial focus on Plasmodium falciparum malaria before achieving elimination of all forms of malaria, including Plasmodium vivax in 2025. The emergence of artemisinin-resistant P. Falciparum in western Cambodia over the last decade has drawn global attention to support the ultimate goal of P. Falciparum elimination, whereas the control of P. Vivax lags much behind, making the 2025 target gradually less achievable unless greater attention is given to P. Vivax elimination in the country. The following review presents in detail the past and current situation regarding P. Vivax malaria, activities of the National Malaria Control Program, and interventional measures applied. Constraints and obstacles that can jeopardize our efforts to eliminate this parasite species are discussed.