Declining incidence of imported malaria in the Netherlands, 2000-2007Archived
This descriptive study, based on national surveillance data of reported malaria cases, travelers’ statistics and data on malaria chemoprophylaxis prescriptions, estimates the incidence and trends of imported malaria in the Netherlands.
van Rijckevorsel GG, Sonder GJ, Geskus RB, Wetsteyn JC, Ligthelm RJ, Visser LG, Keuter M, van Genderen PJ, van den Hoek A. Malaria Journal, 2010;9:300
This descriptive study, based on national surveillance data of reported malaria cases, travelers’ statistics and data on malaria chemoprophylaxis prescriptions, estimates the incidence and trends of imported malaria in the Netherlands. Results show this trend is declining, in spite of an increase of number of travelers to malaria endemic countries. The authors suggest the decline might be due to reduced malaria transmission in affected areas. The study also describes the worrying finding of an increasing number of travelers from the Netherlands who do not take any chemoprophylaxis before travelling to areas with malaria transmission.
ECDC comment: In spite of a decreasing transmission in several parts of the world, malaria remains an important risk for travelers; the importance of personal protective measures should be reminded to all travelers to malaria transmission areas. Public Health Significance: The declining trend in importation of malaria reduces morbidity and mortality from this severe disease. Fewer cases might lead to difficulties in diagnosing malaria for clinicians in non-endemic countries. Imported malaria is still always to be considered in febrile travelers from endemic areas.
This paper was selected by Dr. Helena H. Askling (helena.hervius-askling@karolinska.se) from Stockholm, Sweden on behalf of EuroTravNet. EuroTravNet, the European Travel Medicine Network, is an ECDC collaborative network.