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Cause:
Plasmodium
species,
commonly P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale,
and P. malariae.
Illness and treatment:
Classic malaria
involves recurrent bouts of fever, chills, sweats, and
headache. Many other symptoms can occur, affecting the
gastrointestinal, respiratory, muscular, and neurological
systems. Treatment is with antimalarial drugs and supportive
care.
Sources:
Transmission
occurs by the bite of infected anopheline mosquitoes.
Additional risks:
Although rare in the
United States, transmission
can occur through blood contact (e.g., transfusions or
needle-sharing).
Prevention:
When
traveling in risk areas avoid mosquito bites, take
medication to avoid malaria, and receive proper treatment if
infected.
Recent Washington trends:
Each year there are
20 to 40 reports among
tourists, military personnel, business travelers, mission
workers, immigrants and refugees.
2008:
32 cases (0.5 cases/100,000
population) were reported: 12 P. falciparum, 4 P.
ovale, 10 P. vivax, 1 P. malariae, 2 P.
ovale, 1 suspect P. ovale and 6 undetermined.
Cases were associated with travel to Africa, Asia, and South
America.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To contribute adequate case
reports to the national database, which in turn gives a
better sense of the characteristics of and risk factors for
malaria in residents of the United States.
- To ensure adequate
treatment of cases, particularly those with potentially
fatal falciparum malaria.
- To identify other persons
exposed who may benefit from screening or treatment, e.g.,
fellow travelers or recipients of blood products.
- To identify persons exposed
locally and initiate appropriate follow-up.
Legal Reporting Requirements
-
Health care providers:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 3 work
days.
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Hospitals: notifiable to local
health jurisdiction within 3 work days.
-
Laboratories:
no requirements for reporting but specimen submission is
recommended.
-
Local Health
Jurisdiction: notifiable to the Washington State
Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease
Epidemiology Section (CDES) within seven days of case
investigation completion or summary information required
within 21 days.
Last
update
November 2009 |
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