Malaria pathogen continues to spread

Dangerous malaria pathogen continues to spread

04/11/2014

A dangerous malaria parasite, which so far only attacked monkeys, is now spreading in Southeast Asian Malaysia among humans. In the hospitals of the region more and more cases are registered. Malaysia is also a popular holiday destination for Germans.

Pathogens were rife for a long time only among monkeys
In Southeast Asia Malaysia, a dangerous malaria pathogen is spreading, which was rife for a long time only among monkeys. According to a news agency dpa news agency, researchers at the US Society of Tropical Medicine and Sanitation in New Orleans said two-thirds of patients hospitalized for malaria in the tropical country were infected with the pathogen Plasmodium knowlesi. There, the parasite is three times as likely to trigger particularly bad malaria as the most dangerous known human-occurring malaria parasite P. falciparum.

Deforestation responsible for dissemination
The researchers around Balbir Singh, director of the Malaria Research Center at the University of Malaysia in Sarawak, blame deforestation. The macaque species Javaaneraffe and Schweineinsaffe, who used to live deep in the jungle, are the main hosts. Humans have now penetrated into their habitat with massive deforestation, such as the planting of palm oil plantations, and thus the mosquitoes that transmit the malaria pathogens can now sting both macaques and humans within reach.

Malaria is life threatening
Although the parasite causes only mild symptoms in macaques, Singh says it is the fastest-growing malaria parasite in humans. In Malaysia, 2,000 people needed medical help every year after a P. knowlesi infection. Malaria causes flu-like symptoms with severe attacks of fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting, joint pain and can damage the organs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria causes more than 600,000 deaths each year worldwide.

Vacationers should protect themselves
According to Singh, the patients in Malaysia were stung by mosquitoes that had previously stung an infected macaque. „If the number of cases continues to increase, but also a transfer from person to person is possible“, so his warning. Then mosquitoes could transfer the parasites with their stings from one person to another. „It may even have happened, which would accelerate the spread of P. knowlesi in Southeast Asia.“ However, spread beyond the region is unlikely, as there are no mosquitoes that can transmit the parasite. But because Malaysia is a - also with Germans - popular travel destination, tourists should protect themselves. Effective protection against malaria is to keep away mosquitoes. For this, so-called repellents offer, which are applied to the skin or clothing. In addition, mosquito nets are generally recommended in tropical countries. (Ad)