Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province, and Ea Sup district, Dak Lak province, 2017 - 2018

Abstract

A cross - sectional study was conducted from May to December 2018 to describe the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in two provinces, Quang Binh and Dak Lak, during 2017 - 2018. The results showed that imported malaria cases were recorded in most communes, with Minh Hoa District having concentrations in border communes with Laos, and Ea Sup District focusing on communes adjacent to the Krong Na forest in Buon Don District. The majority of imported malaria cases were males, accounting for 85.6%, predominantly engaged in forestry/ agricultural work (95.2%), and aged over 15, comprising 96.6%. In Minh Hoa, cases in the Khua ethnic group were 80.8%; In Ea Sup, the highest number of cases was in the Mong ethnic group with 42.6%. The history of previous malaria for the imported cases in Minh Hoa was 11.8%, and in Ea Sup, it was 18.7%. In Minh Hoa, imported malaria cases due to P. vivax account for the majority with 78.4%, whereas in Ea Sup, P.falciparum accounts for the majority with 59.3%. Suspected places of imported malaria cases are mainly border areas with 54.1%. There is a need to enhance the detection of imported malaria cases and conduct deeper analyses of the origin of these cases in order to detect early, treat promptly, and limit the re-establishment of local transmission.