Seventeen malaria cases were reported from January to April, compared with eight during the same period last year.

State health department director Dr Kasemani Embong said 16 of the 17 cases involved zoonotic infection, while another case was an imported case (plasmodium vivax).

“We found a 112.5% increase in cases this year compared to last year. The Hulu Terengganu district recorded the highest number of cases with nine. However, no outbreaks or deaths have been reported so far,” she told Bernama.

Kasemani advised people to immediately seek treatment at nearby clinics or hospitals if they experience symptoms of malaria such as fever, chills, sweating and tiredness.

As a preventive measure, especially for those living in or near forest areas, people are advised to wear appropriate clothes that protect the whole body from mosquito bites, use mosquito repellent and avoid being outside at night.

“Those with symptoms should immediately seek treatment, especially if they have a history of travelling to malaria-risk areas or returning from malaria-endemic countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines or India.

“I would like to remind all of you that malaria can be fatal if not treated and diagnosed early,” she said.