[Imported falciparum malaria situation in Henan Province during 2005-2009]

Imported falciparum malaria data of Henan Province in 2005-2009 were collected and statistically analyzed by using Microsoft Office Excel 2003. A total of 84 imported falciparum malaria cases with one death were reported during 2005-2009. The ratio of males to females was 20 : 1(80/4). The average age was (34 +/- 11) years old. Seventy-five patients returned from Africa, occupying 89.3%. The number of annual cases reported in 2008 (24 cases) and 2009 (32 cases) was higher than that in 2005-2007(9-10 cases). The top three high-risk populations were farmers (34 cases), workers (17 cases) and the cadre (13 cases), accounted for 76.2% of all cases. The cases were reported every month, of which 37 cases (44.0%) were reported in June and July. All cases had a history of prior residence in falciparum malaria endemic area, and the initial symptom was fever. The average interval from symptom appearing to diagnosis was (5.9 +/- 8.6) d, only 21.4% (18/84) of the patients was diagnosed within 24h. There were 72 laboratory-confirmed cases (85.7%). Seventeen cases (22.1%) were reported by county level medical treatment units. A total of 83 cases recovered with the treatment of artemisinin-based combination drugs. One case died with serious cerebral malaria. Effective measures should be carried to control the increasing trend of imported falciparum malaria.