KENINGAU – Reports of unusual incidents of monkey malaria, or plasmodium knowlesi, have been detected in several villages, farms, forests and rivers in Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom.
An infographic and a media publicity request over the outbreak believed to be issued by the Sabah Health Department have gone viral in the state.
According to the infographic, there are a total of 1,975 monkey malaria cases, with Ranau reporting 293 cases and Keningau, 293. However, they were recorded in 2018. No recent data has been issued.
Still, the memo dated June 6 and issued to radio station Keningau FM noted the extraordinary cases.
It also includes a health advisory to avoid forests, rivers and farms until late evening.
Health authorities have also cautioned the public on presence of monkeys over fear that the primates may be carriers of monkey malaria.
Local media reporting the matter have, so far, quoted unnamed state Health Department spokesmen.
Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi when contacted neither confirmed nor denied the memo, but said the letter addressed to Keningau FM was not meant for public consumption.
“Good evening. This is an internal memo not meant for public consumption,” she said.
A Keningau resident, who wished to be known only as John, told The Vibes that the majority of residents here are aware of monkey malaria.
However, he said, they are uncertain of the seriousness of the infection.
“All we know via local radio is to report any sighting of monkeys around our area.”
Due to the total lockdown, inter-district travel has been limited to only essential services. – The Vibes, June 13, 2021
