[Epidemiologic characteristics of Plasmodium ovale in China in 2011-2014]

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Plasmodium ovale in 2011-2014 for malaria control policy making during the phase of malaria elimination in China.

The data of individual Plasmodium ovale case (probable and confirmed) and population during 20011-2014 were collated from China National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System, and the data of epidemiological investigation for individual Plasmodium ovale case (imported and indigenous) during 2011-2014 were collected from China Parasite Disease Prevention and Control Information System. All of the data didn't include China's Hongkong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign cases. The epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and reporting were compared and analyzed.

During study period of 2011-2014, a total of 373 Plasmodium ovale imported cases were reported, with male being 98.4% and median age being 40 years old. Jiangsu (100 cases), Guangxi (76 cases), Henan (55 cases), Anhui (28 cases) and Shandong(18 cases) reported Plasmodium ovale imported cases ranked the top 5 place in the list. Totally 182 counties from 21 provinces were reported Plasmodium ovale imported cases. 94.6% of ovale malaria imported cases (353/373) got infected from African countries and comprehensive hospitals, CDCs and hospital of infectious disease reported 40.0%, 37.8%, and 16.6% of Plasmodium ovale imported cases, respectively. 4 days of median time lag of Plasmodium ovale imported cases from date of onset to diagnosis was longer than 3 days.

From 2011 to 2014, the rising number of Plasmodium ovale imported cases reported from wilder scope of China. Diagnosis time lag of Plasmodium ovale was longer than that of other Plasmodium. Diagnosis and prompt treatment of Plasmodium ovale imported cases and relapse case should be highlighted.