[Analysis of malaria epidemic characteristics in Anhui Province during 1999-2013]

To analyze the characters of malaria epidemic situation in Anhui Province from 1999 to 2013.

The incidence and epidemiological data of malaria were retrospectively analyzed by Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and MapInfo Professional 7.0 software.

The number of malaria cases changed significantly from 1999 to 2013. In the growing period (1999-2006), the annual malaria incidence increased from 1.32/100 000 to 57.16/ 100 000. The turning point was in 2007 with an annual incidence of 44.69/100 000. From 2008 to 2013 (the reducing period), the annual incidence declined from 22.04/100 000 to 0.32/100 000. All the indigenous cases were vivax malaria. The number of indigenous cases increased from 814 in 1999 to 34,982 in 2006, and then reduced to 3 in 2013, since 2007 the comprehensive measures with an emphasis on the clearance of malaria infection source were implemented. The cases were mainly distributed in the area along the Huaihe River and its north. The epidemic areas moved from the middle to the northern part of the province in the growing period. The incidence in the northern part was falling faster than the middle area in the reducing period. More cases occurred in summer and autumn. Since 2009 the number of imported cases increased from 18 in 2009 to 191 in 2013. During 1999-2010 all the imported cases were falciparum malaria. Since 2011 the Plasmodium parasites were more diverse. The imported cases mainly occurred in the counties with more exported laborers.

The epidemic of indigenous malaria has been effectively controlled in Anhui Province, while the imported cases have increased in recent years.