Post-elimination importation of malaria and its prevention and control in Jiangsu Province
- Author:
CAO Yuanyuan
;
WANG Weiming
;
YANG Mengmeng
;
ZHOU Huayun
;
GU Yaping
;
XU Sui
;
ZHU Guoding
;
GAO Qi
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Malaria;
malaria elimination;
prevention of malaria re-introduction;
Jiangsu Province
- From:
China Tropical Medicine
2024;24(4):372-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To collect data on imported malaria cases in Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023 after malaria elimination and to analyze the current epidemic situation and prevention and control measures of imported malaria, discussing future prevention and control strategies. Methods Malaria case information for Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023 was extracted and downloaded from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP) as well as the Jiangsu Provincial malaria epidemic database. Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 and SPSS 16.0 software. Results From 2019 to 2023, a total of 534 cases of malaria were directly reported online in Jiangsu Province, with annual cases numbering 244, 90, 32, 36, and 132 respectively, all being laboratory-confirmed imported malaria cases from abroad. During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, the number of imported malaria cases significantly decreased, with several months reporting zero cases. Among the 534 malaria cases, the vast majority were individuals who had traveled to countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia for work, business, international studies, or tourism. Over the five years, the median, minimum, and maximum days for patients from onset of illness to health-seeking were 1(0,12), 1(0,8), 0(0,6), 0(0,10), and 1(0,18) days, with a statistically significant difference in health-seeking time among patients (Fisher's exact test, P=0.03). Over the past three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to outside centralized isolation stations, malaria cases within centralized isolation stations were diagnosed in a shorter time (Fisher exact test, P=0.007). A total of 24 severe malaria cases were reported, with no deaths, including 23 cases of P. falciparum and 1 case of P. ovale. Conclusions After the elimination of malaria, imported malaria cases in Jiangsu Province have sharply decreased due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Malaria cases in centralized isolation stations (CIS) for COVID-19 control of Jiangsu Province are more likely to be promptly diagnosed, and the timeliness from onset to health-seeking among malaria patients returning from high-malaria areas improved. As COVID-19 prevention and control policies adjusted, there has been a sharp increase in imported malaria cases in 2023. It's still necessary to strengthen measures for malaria prevention and control and maintain the capacity to prevent malaria re-transmission in Jiangsu Province.
- Full text:20250428170153689992.Post-elimination importation of malaria and its prevention and control in Jiangsu Province.pdf