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[Malaria travel disease--importation to Germany 1988]
K D Zastrow1, S Dieckmann, I Schöneberg
1Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie des Bundesgesundheitsamtes, Berlin.
Abstract:
Malaria continues to be an important travellers' disease in Germany. In 1988 885 cases of malaria were imported into the Federal Republic of Germany. German tourists to far-away countries represented the biggest share (about 80%). Africa was the most prominently represented continent with 76%. Differentiation according to species of pathogens showed that 68% of the diseases were caused by Plasmodium falciparum. 11 patients died of malaria in 1988, in all cases due to P. falciparum infection. The mortality of the patients increases with age. Only in 5 of 11 persons who died there had been a sufficient prophylaxis against malaria, at least as far as the anamnesis revealed. Careful planning of sufficient prophylaxis taking into consideration the partly very marked resistance to a multitude of drugs, as well as competent medical advice to would-be travellers, are imperative before the number of malaria imports into Germany can be reduced.
Insights
Malaria remains a significant travel-related illness in Germany, with imported cases primarily affecting tourists visiting Africa. Effective malaria prevention strategies, including drug resistance awareness and medical advice, are crucial to reduce cases.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Epidemiology of infectious diseases
Context:
- Malaria is a major imported disease in Germany, with 885 cases in 1988.
- German tourists undertaking long-haul travel are the primary demographic affected.
Purpose:
- To analyze the epidemiology of imported malaria cases in Germany in 1988.
- To highlight the importance of effective malaria prophylaxis for travelers.
Summary:
- In 1988, 885 malaria cases were imported into Germany, predominantly by tourists traveling to Africa (76%). Plasmodium falciparum caused 68% of infections, leading to 11 deaths, all linked to P. falciparum. Mortality increased with age, and adequate prophylaxis was insufficient in most fatal cases.
- The study underscores the critical need for meticulous malaria prophylaxis planning, considering widespread drug resistance, and emphasizes the necessity of professional medical consultations for travelers to mitigate imported malaria incidence.
Impact:
- Informs public health strategies for malaria prevention in travelers.
- Highlights the persistent threat of Plasmodium falciparum and the need for updated prophylactic guidelines.