[Imported cases of malaria in Italy 1974-1979]

Malaria is not present in Italy in autochthonous form although cases contracted where the disease is endemic are appearing with ever greater frequency. 767 cases, all imported, were reported to the Ministry of Health between '74 and '79. The number of reports, which is increasing steadily and actually doubled from '76 to '77, is examined here in relation to the age of patients, their work and the aetiological agent. Stress is laid on the epidemiological importance of putting into effect all those measures aimed at preventing an ever greater number of patients from malarial zones reactivating an endemic type of infection transmission in Italy, where an anopheles vector is present.