Thailand Joins the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network

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The Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) today announces that Thailand is the eleventh County Partner to join the Network. Thailand has made significant progress over the last 10 years, reducing cases by 75% from 2000 to 2009, and has developed a strategy of sub-national malaria elimination, focusing on the central and eastern portions of the country. Migrant populations, P. vivax malaria, and multi-drug resistance along the Thai-Cambodia border are challenges faced by the country.

APMEN is a Network of 11 countries working to eliminate malaria (Bhutan, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vanuatu) along with partner and research institutions in the region, including WHO. The third annual APMEN Annual Meeting will be held in May 2011 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Network objectives include information exchange, capacity building, evidence building and advocacy for elimination in the Asia Pacific region. The region has many challenges to face in malaria elimination, in particular P. vivax, a type of malaria that is more difficult to diagnose and treat.

Further information regarding APMEN can be viewed at www.apmen.org.