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Importance of active case detection in a malaria elimination programme.
Renu Wickremasinghe1, Sumadhya Deepika Fernando, Janani Thillekaratne
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. renuwick@sltnet.lk.
Malaria Journal
|June 3, 2014
Summary
Active case detection (ACD) by a private organization complemented government efforts, identifying eight malaria cases in Sri Lanka. This enhanced surveillance was crucial in achieving zero indigenous malaria cases by October 2012.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- Sri Lanka aimed to eliminate malaria by 2014, necessitating enhanced surveillance strategies.
- The Anti-Malaria Campaign (AMC) partnered with Tropical and Environmental Disease and Health Associates Private Limited (TEDHA) to augment malaria detection efforts.
- TEDHA was tasked with malaria surveillance in four districts, complementing existing government activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of active case detection (ACD) in complementing passive case detection (PCD) and activated passive case detection (APCD) for malaria.
- To assess the effectiveness of private sector involvement in malaria surveillance.
- To contribute to Sri Lanka's malaria elimination goal through targeted screening.
Main Methods:
- Active case detection (ACD) involved screening populations regardless of symptoms to identify infections and carriers.
- ACD targeted high-risk groups, including armed forces, and pregnant women in their first trimester through mobile clinics and antenatal visits.
- Screening was conducted in consultation with regional malaria officers to prevent overlap with government surveillance.
Main Results:
- TEDHA screened 387,309 individuals between January 2010 and December 2012.
- Eight malaria cases were detected: seven with Plasmodium vivax and one mixed infection (P. vivax and Plasmodium falciparum).
- All eight cases were identified through ACD among high-risk populations in the Mannar district.
Conclusions:
- Increased surveillance and strategic control methods have led to significant progress in malaria elimination in Sri Lanka.
- Zero indigenous malaria cases were reported since October 2012, indicating successful control efforts.
- Active case detection (ACD) played a pivotal role in interrupting malaria transmission within the country.
