[Malaria incidence and mortality in Germany 1993-1997]

Worldwide incidence of malaria has increased. This may result in an increasing risk for tourists in different areas of the world. Malaria is an important travellers' disease in Germany. Most cases imported to Germany originated from Africa (77%). Plasmodium falciparum caused 67% of all malaria cases. 63% of all cases were Germans, 76% of whom travelled for holidays or study trips. From 1993 to 1996 89 people died from malaria in Germany. Most cases of fatal malaria were reported among German citizens. The case fatality rate increases with age. About 50% of all patients had not undergone sufficient prophylaxis against malaria. Only 22% of the patients who started prophylactic treatment took chemoprophylactics regularly while travelling abroad. Adequate prophylaxis against malaria is the only way to reduce the incidence of imported cases of malaria.