Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that the country is on the verge of achieving its goal of becoming malaria-free by the end of 2025.

In his National Malaria Day message, he said that the Southeast Asian nation has reported a remarkable drop in malaria cases, with only 355 malaria cases reported in 2024, a 75 percent reduction compared to the previous year. The Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized the country’s near-success in eliminating malaria and called on all stakeholders to continue their support in reaching this important public health milestone.

Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease commonly found in forested and mountainous regions during rainy seasons, poses a higher risk to certain groups, including infants, children under five, pregnant women, travellers, and people with HIV/AIDS. Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medicines.