Malaria surveillance--United States, 2006

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Malaria is a serious protozoan infection transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily affecting travelers to endemic regions.
• In the U.S., malaria cases arise from imported infections, blood product exposure, congenital transmission, or local mosquito-borne transmission.

Observation:

• In 2006, 1,564 malaria cases were reported in the U.S., a 2.4% increase from 2005, with six fatalities.
• Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species identified (39.2%), followed by P. vivax (17.6%).
• Travelers returning from Asia and West Africa showed increased case rates, with a significant proportion reporting non-adherence to chemoprophylaxis.

Findings:

• Malaria cases remained relatively stable between 2001 and 2006, despite a slight rise in 2006.
• U.S. civilians traveling to West Africa exhibited the highest estimated relative case rates.
• A majority of U.S. civilians acquiring malaria abroad reported not adhering to recommended chemoprophylaxis regimens.

Implications:

• Adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis and personal protective measures is crucial for travelers to endemic areas.
• Prompt medical attention and accurate travel history reporting are vital for timely malaria diagnosis and treatment.
• Continued surveillance and public health advisories are necessary to mitigate malaria transmission risks among travelers.