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Plasmodium knowlesi is the fifth species causing malaria
in humans. Macaque is the natural host of the parasite.
Infection is transmitted from monkey to humans by the
bite of mosquitoes of Anopheles leucosphyrus group.
Symptoms are similar to other malarial infections and
also cause fatalities. P.knowlesi. is frequently misdiagnosed as Plasmodium malariae during microscopy and
molecular biological tests are useful in establishing the
diagnosis. The vector and the reservoir hosts are present
in Sri Lanka but fortunately neither category nor human
is infected with P.knowlesi. Potential risk of introduction
of P.knowlesi malaria to Sri Lanka is low.
