There is good evidence from experience with Somalia refugees that this practice can exacerbate symptoms to the point of increased mortality from cerebral malaria. Murray MJ et al. The adverse effect of iron repletion on the course of certain infections. Med J 1113-1115, 1978. The explanation is quite straight forward.
Iron deficiency impairs a number of immune mechanism.
Parental iron provides iron for rapid agen5 replication before their is an opportunity for host defenses to recover. Iron therapy but not overwhelming host capacity to withhold iron from infectious agents. The Somali refugee studies were poorly controlled and it is very difficult to justify the conclusions reached by the authors on the basis of the evidence given. The only way this could be answered is by a good systematic review of trials to date in this area. I have not seen such a review, but the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group would be keen to support an individual interesting in conducting and updating such a review.