Reported cases of malaria fell more than 20 per cent from last year in the first six months of 2012, and deaths are down almost 10 per cent, according to the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (NCPEMC).

A copy of a NCPEMC report obtained by the Post yesterday shows 35,713 cases of malaria from January through June in 2012, compared to 46,363 cases during the same period in 2011.

This year’s death toll, the report states, is down to 28, from 31 last year. The report attributed most malaria deaths to people who had sought ineffective treatment at private clinics, only travelling to state-run treatment centres after it was already too late.

In the report, the NCPEMC said it will distribute 1.3 million mosquito nets to vulnerable populations in the third quarter of 2012, including those who work temporarily in areas with a high risk of malaria and villagers who have not received new nets in the past three years.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mom Kunthear at [email protected]