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Malaria surveillance--United States, 2003
M James Eliades1, Snehal Shah, Phuc Nguyen-Dinh
1Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries (Washington, D.C. : 2002)
|June 3, 2005
Summary
Malaria cases in the U.S. decreased slightly in 2003, primarily due to fewer cases from Africa. However, infections acquired in the Americas and Asia increased, highlighting the need for continued traveler vigilance and prevention.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Malaria is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes and caused by Plasmodium parasites.
- Most U.S. malaria cases are imported through travel, but local transmission can occur.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report malaria cases in the U.S. for 2003 and analyze trends.
- To guide malaria prevention recommendations for travelers and public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Data collected through the National Malaria Surveillance System (NMSS).
- Mandatory reporting of confirmed malaria cases by healthcare providers and laboratories.
- Case investigations conducted by local and state health departments.
Main Results:
- 1,278 malaria cases reported in 2003, a 4.4% decrease from 2002.
- P. falciparum was the most common species (53.3%).
- Cases acquired in Africa decreased, while those from Asia and the Americas increased.
- 10 cases were acquired in the U.S., including 8 from local mosquito transmission.
- Only 17.3% of U.S. civilians who acquired malaria abroad reported using CDC-recommended chemoprophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- The slight decrease in malaria cases is attributed to reduced African imports, offset by increased cases from Asia and the Americas.
- Inadequate chemoprophylaxis use among international travelers remains a significant concern.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial, as malaria can be fatal; travelers should seek immediate medical care for flu-like symptoms after returning from endemic areas.