Imported malaria cases in former endemic and non-malaria endemic areas in China

Are there differences in case profile and time to response?

Abstract

China has achieved zero indigenous malaria case report in 2017. However, along with the increasing of international cooperation development, there is an increasing number of imported malaria cases from Chinese nationals returning from malaria-affected countries. Previous studies have focused on malaria endemic areas in China. There is thus limited information on non-endemic areas in China, especially on the performance of malaria surveillance and response in health facilities.

This is a comparative retrospective study carried out based on routine malaria surveillance data collected from 2013 to 2017. All imported malaria cases reported within the mainland of China were included. Variables used in the comparative analysis between cases in former endemic and former non-endemic areas, included age, gender and occupation, destination of overseas travel, Plasmodium species and patient health outcome. Monthly aggregated data was used to compare seasonal and spatial characteristics. Geographical distribution and spatial-temporal aggregation analyses were conducted. Time to diagnosis and report, method of diagnosis, and level of reporting/diagnosing health facilities were used to assess performance of health facilities.

This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)

Citation

Zhang S-S, Feng J, Zhang L, Ren X, Geoffroy E, Manguin S, Frutos R, Zhou S-S. Imported malaria cases in former endemic and non-malaria endemic areas in China: are there differences in case profile and time to response? Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 2019;8(1):61.

Imported malaria cases in former endemic and non-malaria endemic areas in China: are there differences in case profile and time to response?

Published 5 July 2019