[Falciparum malaria in Switzerland: a problem of intensive care?]

In the period 1972-1976, 5 of 17 patients admitted to the Cantonal Hospital, Basel, for falciparum malaria had to be treated in the intensive care unit. Two patients died. None had performed regular chemoprophylaxis and in all of them several days had elapsed between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. The importance of information on malaria to tourists and physicians is stressed.