A study of malaria in bordering countries of India: Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand

Abstract

Background: Malaria still occurs in Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand which are countries of the South-east
Asia region. Material and Methods: For the present study, three countries’ (Nepal, Thailand, and
Pakistan) Malaria Prevalence and their strategic elimination programs of were taken into consideration based
on all the available online data. These countries were compared by their preventive strategies and stipulated
eradication time according to their geographical areas. They were further classified as endemic, non-endemic
areas of their country maps and tabulated respectively. Results: During 2021, there were 623 reported
confirmed cases of Malaria in Nepal. Of these, 94% were caused by Plasmodium vivax while 5% were due to
P. falciparum. During 2021, there were 350,467 reported confirmed cases of Malaria in Pakistan. Of these,
78% were caused by Plasmodium vivax while 21% were due to P. falciparum. During 2021, there were 7420
cases of Malaria in Thailand of which 61% were due to Plasmodium vivax and 23% were due to P.
falciparum. Conclusion: The number of imported cases of Malaria from India to Nepal and vice versa
would decrease if anti-Malaria measures are stepped up in the respective countries’ border districts. The main
species causing Malaria in Pakistan is Plasmodium vivax. This will prove a challenge to eliminate because of
the hypnozoites that are difficult to treat which remain latent in the liver and cause recurrent attacks of the
disease even if the initial phase is apparently cured. Thailand aims to eliminate Malaria by 2024 using the
methods of timely surveillance and quick response.