The Epidemiology of Imported Malaria in Taiwan between 2002–2013: The Importance of Sensitive Surveillance and Implications for Pre-Travel Medical Advice
Autor: | Kow-Tong Chen, Hsiao-Ling Chang, Shou-Chien Chen |
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Rok vydání: | 2014 |
Předmět: |
Adult
Counseling Male Veterinary medicine medicine.medical_specialty Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis Taiwan malaria lcsh:Medicine immigrant Article travel medicine imported case Medical advice Environmental health parasitic diseases Epidemiology medicine Animals Humans Travel medicine Imported malaria Travel biology business.industry Transmission (medicine) lcsh:R Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Outbreak Plasmodium falciparum Middle Aged medicine.disease biology.organism_classification Culicidae Population Surveillance Female business Malaria |
Zdroj: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 11; Issue 6; Pages: 5651-5664 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 11, Iss 6, Pp 5651-5664 (2014) |
ISSN: | 1660-4601 |
Popis: | The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology of imported malaria in Taiwan between 2002 and 2013. We analyzed the national data recorded by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC). Malaria cases were diagnosed by blood films, polymerase chain reaction, or rapid diagnostic tests. The risk of re-establishment of malarial transmission in Taiwan was assessed. A total of 229 malaria cases were included in our analysis. All of the cases were imported. One hundred and ninety-two cases (84%) were diagnosed within 13 days of the start of symptoms/signs; 43% of these cases were acquired in Africa and 44% were acquired in Asia. Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for the majority (56%) of these cases. Travel to an endemic area was associated with the acquisition of malaria. The malaria importation rate was 2.36 per 1,000,000 travelers (range 1.20–5.74). The reproductive number under control (Rc) was 0. No endemic transmission of malaria in Taiwan was identified. This study suggests that a vigilant surveillance system, vector-control efforts, case management, and an educational approach focused on travelers and immigrants who visit malaria endemic countries are needed to prevent outbreaks and sustain the elimination of malaria in Taiwan. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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