Imported malaria: 54 cases diagnosed at the Ibn Sina Hospital Center in Rabat, Morocco

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
• Global Health

Background:

• Morocco achieved World Health Organization malaria elimination certification in 2010.
• Despite local eradication, imported malaria cases persist, predominantly from West African regions.
• Understanding imported malaria characteristics is vital for maintaining malaria-free status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the epidemiological and diagnostic features of malaria cases diagnosed at Ibn Sina Hospital Center in Rabat, Morocco.
• To analyze the prevalence, demographics, travel history, and clinical presentation of imported malaria.
• To identify the Plasmodium species responsible for imported malaria in Morocco.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of malaria cases diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2016.
• Parasitological diagnosis using direct examination of blood films (thin and thick drops).
• Antigen detection via rapid immunochromatographic test (OptiMAL-IT® kit).

Main Results:

• 54 positive malaria cases were recorded out of 192 patients tested, with a prevalence of 28.12%.
• The majority of cases were imported from West Africa, particularly Ivory Coast and Guinea.
• Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species (84.21%), followed by P. vivax and P. ovale. Fever was the most common symptom.

Conclusions:

• Imported malaria cases continue to be diagnosed in Morocco, primarily in travelers returning from endemic areas.
• Lack of chemoprophylaxis among travelers contributes to the persistence of imported malaria.
• Enhanced health education for travelers to endemic regions is recommended to prevent malaria reintroduction.