[Malaria in Croatia: in the past, today and tomorrow]

Until 1964, when officially declared eradicated, malaria had been a major public health problem in Croatia. No autochthonous infections have been noted since 1958. Within ten year period after the eradication three cases were transmitted by transfusion. Until 1998, all other cases, a total of 308, were imported. Within last 10 years 119 cases were noted. The most of infections were caused by P. falciparum (n = 71, 59.66%), than by P. vivax (n = 31, 26.05%), and P. ovale, respectively (n = 1, 0.84%). Mixed infections were noted in 8 cases (6.73%), and the cause remained undetermined in 6 (1.68%). Seamen make the most of those who acquire primary malaria. There are some 30,000 seamen in Croatia. Some 10,000 are on foreign ships, therefore many data are definitely not available or incomplete. An average of 8 Croatian seamen get infected annually, but this number is supposed to be much greater. Mosquitos which are vectors for malaria exist in Croatia even today. Sporadic cases of autochthonous malaria in the neighboring countries, in which malaria was officially eradicated, are a warning that cases of autochthonous malaria might appear in Croatia, too. Due to the increased resistance to known antimalaria drugs including mefloquine, chemoprophylaxis when indicated, campaign against mosquitos, and control of persons who come from the malaria regions are determinants of control of malaria in Croatia, as in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations. Besides, further research of medically interesting insects, including the genus Anopheles, would be useful, at least in the coastal area of Croatia.