Imported malaria in Auckland in 1993

To determine the number of people with malaria in Auckland in 1993 and determine species, sources, exposure history, use of chemoprophylaxis, outcome and geographic attack rates.

We prospectively obtained the numbers of people with laboratory diagnosed malaria from all haematology departments in Auckland and then contacted the patients and their doctors to elicit further details.

Forty three people, 30 men and 13 women, had malaria. Twenty eight were New Zealanders, 10 migrants, three temporary visitors and two not determined. Thirty two had P vivax infection, 11 P falciparum: none had complications. The highest attack rate was in travellers to the Solomon Islands. Eighty two per cent took prophylaxis.

Malaria is an uncommon diagnosis in Auckland. Most patients took prophylaxis. The disease is undernotified. No one died of malaria in 1993 in Auckland.