A study on some aspects of the epidemiology of malaria in an endemic district in northern Peninsular Malaysia near Thailand border

A study on the distribution of malaria in Hulu Perak district, Peninsular Malaysia was carried out between January and December 1993. The study encompassed the distribution of malaria cases according to sex, age and profession. A total of 332 cases were recorded, with 182 cases occurring in males. The highest infection was observed in the above 15 years old age group. Forest workers (loggers, rattan collectors and forest product gatherers) were the group most exposed to the disease (32.8%), followed by both plantantion workers (32.2%) and aboriginal communities (32.2%). Army and police personnels (2.1%) were also infected. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species of malaria in the area.