[Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Fujian Province from 2014 to 2018]

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Fujian Province from 2014 to 2018, so as to provide scientific basis for the development of the control strategy for imported malaria.

The epidemiological data of malaria cases in Fujian Province from 2014 to 2018 were retrieved from the Notifiable Disease Reporting System and Parasitic Disease Information Reporting System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the classification, origin of infections, temporal distribution, spatial distribution, population distribution, reporting institutions and diagnosis were analyzed.

A total of 540 overseas imported malaria cases were reported in Fujian Province from 2014 to 2018, and all cases were laboratory-confirmed, including 398 cases with falciparum malaria, 88 cases with vivax malaria, 38 cases with ovale malaria, 14 cases with malariae malaria and 2 cases with mixed infections. There were 90.56% (489/540) of the imported malaria cases with infections in 27 African countries, 5.92% (32/540) with infections in 5 Asian countries and 3.52% (19/540) with infections in one Oceania country. There was no significant seasonal distribution of the cases, and the imported malaria cases were predominantly detected in Fuzhou City (80.00%, 432/540) and at ages of 20 to 49 years (81.48%, 440/540). Initial diagnosis was predominantly at the city-level medical institutions, and 77.96% (421/540) were diagnosed as malaria at the initial diagnosis institutions. The median duration from onset to initial diagnosis was 2 days and 70.19% (379/540) were diagnosed within 3 days of onset. The interval between initial diagnosis and definitive diagnosis was 0 day, with 85.37% (461/540) definitively diagnosed within 3 days of initial diagnosis.

Overseas imported malaria is a continuous problem challenging the malaria elimination programme of Fujian Province. Improving the healthcare-seeking awareness and the diagnostic capability of healthcare workers, and intensifying the monitoring and management of malaria among overseas labors are strongly recommended.