[Epidemiological alertness as a component of the malaria surveillance system]

Malaria vigilance is a continuation of the functions of the malaria surveillance system in the countries that have achieved malaria elimination on their territories. The main function of the malaria vigilance during the post-elimination period is a continuous monitoring and evaluation and implementation of necessary prevention measures against the possible re-establishment of local malaria transmission due to the importation of malaria from its endemic countries by residents and/or migrants. Various epidemiological aspects of malaria vigilance, such as standard identification of a malaria case during the post-elimination period; notification procedures and reporting systems; training of personnel; free access to malaria diagnosis and treatment; mandatory laboratory confirmation of malaria diagnosis; and prompt efficacious treatment, are discussed. Other aspects include epidemiological classification of cases, seasonal pattern of imported cases, its territorial confinement, time-lag between the detection of a case, its diagnosis and treatment initiation, evaluation of the efficacy of individual chemoprophylaxis and treatment.