What’s the best way to protect ourselves against malaria?

Malaria is a debilitating illness that is spread by mosquitoes and the government plans to eliminate the disease from Laos by 2030. Statistics show that 6,692 people contracted malaria in 2019, 3,537 people fell ill in 2020 and 3,926 got malaria in 2021. As the number of cases rises, Vientiane Times asked members of the public about ways to keep the disease in check.

Mr Sonephet Phonmixay, a government official in Luang Prabang province:  I have heard that people die from malaria every year. As we all know, public health officials are doing what they can to suppress this disease and I know that medicine and treatment is available, especially in areas where malaria is common. However, I think we should pay more attention to wiping out the places where mosquitoes breed. People who live in wooded areas and near open drains should be especially careful about keeping their surroundings clean, because these are places where mosquitoes breed. If you get infected with malaria, you should ask the authorities to provide treatment as soon as possible.

Ms Naly Mounmixay, a resident of Xaythany district, Vientiane: It’s true that malaria is very dangerous and it can be spread very fast by mosquitoes. I think we can tackle this disease if we get rid of the places where  mosquitoes breed. In addition, everyone should put up nets over their sleeping area each night before going to bed. If possible, we should buy mosquito nets treated with permethrin for the best protection and people can also use them to cover open windows and doors. It would be good if there was more publicity about this, to inform people how to stay safe from malaria.  

Mr Khampan Ninthakhan, a resident of Savanakhet province:Quite a few people die from malaria every year. It’s a good plan to eliminate malaria by 2030, but I’m not sure this is possible because many people don’t understand how to protect themselves against it. I think the authorities need to create more awareness and run more publicity campaigns. I think malaria can be prevented if everyone seriously complies with the advice given by public health officials.

Ms Koud Vongdala, a resident of Vientiane province:  I’m very worried about malaria because I live near a forest and stagnant water. In the past few years, many people have been killed by malaria. I put a net over my sleeping area every night and always clear mosquito breeding grounds. I urge everyone to take care when going into wooded areas, especially in the rainy season when mosquitoes breed. If you have fever, chills or any flu-like symptoms, you should see a doctor right away. It’s important to get treatment as soon as possible and not take medicine by yourself. 

An official at the Centre of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology: We work hard every day to tackle this issue. We have advised people, especially those living in rural areas, on how to stay safe from malaria. And we have provided medicine to treat and prevent malaria and hopefully eliminate the disease from our bodies, communities and the country. We can use a special chemical spray in the rainy season to get rid of mosquito larvae in breeding grounds. The best way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites by sleeping under insecticide-treated nets. If we do get malaria, we should get the right medication, as advised by a doctor. Tourists and those who have to enter malaria risk zones should be very careful and take extra precautions to stay safe.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update April 28, 2022)