•The experts have noted that there is an increased resistance of the parasite to the commonly used first line antimalaria drugs over time.
•There has also been an increased resistance of malaria spreading mosquitoes to insecticides used to control them.
Health experts are baffled after malaria transmission shifted to areas previously considered free of the disease.
This has been attributed to the impact of climate change.
Experts have said there is increased resistance to the first line of antimalarial drugs.
Areas such as Nairobi that have for long been considered non-malarial zones are now reporting cases.
The disease burden remains the highest in counties in the Lake region, which account for 70 per cent of the 6.5 million cases nationally.
The lake region counties include Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Vihiga, Siaya, Busia and parts of Bungoma and Kakamega.
“Despite the progress that we have made in the fight against malaria in the region, the 2020 World Malaria Report highlighted that we are still in a precarious position in the fight against malaria,” Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said on Friday.
“It is becoming more evident that malaria needs to be tackled at a regional level, since the efforts have not produced the desired outcome.”
The UN has noted that variation in climatic conditions, such as temperature, rainfall patterns and humidity, has a profound effect on the longevity of the mosquito.
Global health expert Bernard Muia told the Star on Monday there is a need for the Health ministry to periodically review the malaria strategic plan to address emerging issues and trends.
“Global warming is impacting so strongly on health and we should always be on the lookout. We expected mosquitoes to adapt to the new temperature changes, hence the review of malaria strategic plans for the ministry because this is crucial,” Muia said.
According to the UN, modelling based on the significant rise in global temperatures predicts enhanced transmission rates of mosquito-borne disease and widened geographical distribution.
“An increase in temperature, rainfall and humidity may cause a proliferation of the malaria-carrying mosquitoes at higher altitudes, resulting in an increase in malaria transmission in areas in which it was not reported earlier,” the UN notes.