Malaysian Society of Parasitology & Tropical Biomedicine
The 21st International Congress for Tropical Medicine & Malaria (ICTMM 2024) was held on 19th – 23rd September 2024 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia with a theme of “Global Responses and Interdisciplinary Research Towards Eliminating Tropical Diseases“.
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The 4th Asia Pacific Rickettsial Conference (APRC4) had successfully took place in the vibrant city of Penang, Malaysia from 29th November until 1st October 2025. This conference, held in conjunction with the 61st Annual Scientific Conference of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), serves as a significant platform for experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals to explore advancements in the study and management of rickettsial and other tropical diseases.
Rickettsial infections, alongside other tropical diseases, represent a substantial public health burden in the Asia-Pacific region. Rickettsial diseases—including typhus, scrub typhus, and spotted fever—are vector-borne, transmitted through ticks, mites, lice, and fleas. These infections, along with other parasitic and vector-borne diseases, are often challenging to diagnose due to their overlapping clinical presentations, leading to delays in treatment and increased morbidity.
Building on the success of its predecessors, APRC4 continues the tradition of fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among regional and international stakeholders. The inaugural APRC1 was held in Cairns, Australia, in 2017, followed by APRC2 in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in 2019, and APRC3 in Chennai, India, in 2023. These conferences have been pivotal in advancing research, raising awareness, and strengthening partnerships to address the growing challenges posed by rickettsial and tropical diseases.
Join us in Penang for APRC4 as we bridge gaps in knowledge, foster collaborations, and build stronger networks to combat rickettsial and other tropical diseases across the Asia-Pacific region.
Heartfelt appreciation is extended to YB Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Penang State Executive Councillor for Youth and Sports for officiating the opening ceremony of the 4th Asia Pacific Rickettsial Conference (APRC4) 2025. His presence and support added significant value to this important regional scientific gathering, held from 29 September to 1 October 2025 at the Parkroyal Hotel, Penang, Malaysia.
The conference brought together 280 participants from 24 countries and was organised by the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), the MORU Tropical Health Network, and the University of Liverpool. This event was held in conjunction with the 61st Annual Scientific Conference of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology & Tropical Medicine.
Across three days, the programme featured keynote lectures, plenary sessions, invited symposia, parallel scientific sessions, and rapid oral competitions. These sessions covered a comprehensive range of themes including epidemiology, surveillance, diagnostics, genomics, clinical management, vaccine development, pandemic preparedness, and emerging technologies related to rickettsial and vector-borne diseases. The diverse and in-depth scientific discussions enabled participants to exchange knowledge, foster collaborations, and explore innovative approaches for strengthening public health across the Asia-Pacific region.
Sincere appreciation is also extended to all speakers, sponsors, organising committee members, and volunteers for their dedication, professionalism, and teamwork. Their collective contributions were essential in ensuring the success, impact, and seamless execution of APRC4, marking it as a meaningful and memorable event for the global scientific community.
