Malaria deaths up in Cambodia jobs crisis

Aug 19, 2009Matt Conway
ABC Radio Australia

Malaria deaths are up by more than half in Cambodia, and the global economic crisis is getting some of the blame.

The Cambodian health ministry says fatal malaria cases rose by 58 percent in the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2008.

Authorities cite possible contributing factors as early rains, and late arrival of mosquito nets from the government for the wet season.

Dr Duong Socheat, director of the national centre of parasitology and malaria, told Radio Australia's Connect Asia: "This year the rains started in April but the nets came out in June, so it was a bit late to protect the people." Click to read more...