I was chatting over iced coffee at a roadside stall today when it hit us—when was the last time anyone around here actually heard of someone catching malaria? It feels like a lifetime ago. According to local media, the director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control recently shared that Cambodia is steadily closing in on official WHO malaria-free status, with a target to achieve full certification by 2030. The biggest milestone of all: not a single person in the country has died from malaria since 2018.
Looking back at the official figures, the disease used to be a massive threat. Before the national prevention strategy took effect, Cambodia saw anywhere from 130,000 to nearly 200,000 cases a year, with mosquito bites claiming 700 to 800 lives annually. As recently as 2011, there were still 93 recorded deaths. But after years of hard work, cases plunged by more than 95 percent. Over the past couple of years, nationwide cases have dwindled to just a few dozen, while the death toll has remained firmly at zero. Riding a moto around town, you might not notice the shift, but for people working out in remote border areas, this has been an absolute lifesaver.
Health officials are quick to remind everyone not to let their guard down entirely. Even though the situation is infinitely better, taking precautions is still a must if you are heading deep into the forest or staying overnight in heavy woods. Jungle mosquitoes are tough. Always sleep under an insecticide-treated net and do not skip the bug repellent. If you come out of the forest with a fever, chills, or severe body shakes, do not try to tough it out—get to a local clinic and get checked right away. In hot weather like this, a little extra caution goes a long way.
