Malaria Surveillance - United States, 2014

Area of Science:

• * Epidemiology of infectious diseases
• * Public health surveillance systems
• * Parasitology and vector-borne diseases

Background:

• * Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.
• * Most U.S. cases are imported, but local transmission can occur.
• * Surveillance is crucial for identifying local transmission and guiding prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To summarize malaria cases in the U.S. with symptom onset in 2014.
• * To analyze trends in malaria cases and identify risk factors.
• * To assess antimalarial drug resistance and prevention adherence.

Main Methods:

• * Data collected through the National Malaria Surveillance System and other reporting systems.
• * Case investigations conducted by local and state health departments.
• * Diagnostic assistance and antimalarial drug resistance marker testing by CDC.

Main Results:

• * 1,724 confirmed malaria cases reported in 2014, consistent with 2013.
• * Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species (66.1%).
• * High rates of drug resistance (pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine, chloroquine) observed in P. falciparum.

Conclusions:

• * Malaria cases show an increasing trend, with inadequate prevention measures by travelers.
• * Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travelers are a key population for prevention strategies.
• * Improved reporting and targeted interventions are needed to combat malaria and drug resistance.