Malaria infection worries public health experts in Kerala

Representative photo. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The increased number of indigenous and imported malaria cases over the past five years has caused much concern to the health authorities.

Imported malaria is acquired outside Keralam while indigenous malaria is acquired through local transmission where a local mosquito picks up the parasite from an infected person and transmits it to another person.

As of October 5, there were four confirmed indigenous cases in 2,026 and 974 imported cases, according to Ministry of Health statistics.

This year, one death was reported from indigenous malaria and six deaths from imported cases. Last year, no deaths were reported due to indigenous cases, while two deaths occurred due to imported cases.

The number of cases began to rise after 2021, when 252 imported and one indigenous death were reported. The highest number of indigenous cases were reported from Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur. Kollam, which earlier showed a high incidence of these cases, is in the recovery phase.

Health officials attribute the increase in infections to the abundance of mosquitoes and the frequent influx of travelers.

“Over the past few years, the number of imported cases of malaria has increased substantially. We need to strengthen surveillance measures, screen migrants for the disease and ensure intensive screening and testing for the disease in asymptomatic cases of fever,” the official said.

The Ministry of Health plans to introduce bed nets treated with insecticides, which kill mosquitoes on contact, in homes in areas where indigenous cases are reported. Steps are being taken to intensify malaria prevention activities to prevent the development of malaria endemic areas in the state,” the official said.

“The increasing number of malaria cases in the last few years is worrying,” he said. TS Anish, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram.

“Consistent efforts by the Ministry of Health in the 1960s freed the state from malaria. However, with increasing travel and the influx of migrating population from endemic disease areas, malaria cases are being reported. Delay in early detection and intervention measures will contribute to the increase of the original cases. Local conditions are ideal for facilitating the spread of the disease,” warned Dr. Anish.

Climate change

He further added that climate change may also emerge as a key issue.

He warned that malaria could spread to previously unreported areas as a result of developments caused by climate change. “Kerala’s climate and frequent movement of domestic workers are conducive to the spread of the disease,” he said.

Published – 8 Oct 2026 06:10 IST