According to latest report by IMPE-Quy Nhon, malaria situation of Central Vietnam tended to increase in the first 5 months of 2009. The provinces with highest malaria morbidity included Binh Thuan (+ 50.75%), Gia Lai (+ 30.12%), Quang Tri (+ 25.12%), and Phu Yen (+ 9.68%); especially there were 3 deaths (no death was reported in the same period of 2008). Therefore, the Binh Dinh province directed district and communal health centres to strengthen malaria control measures in serevely-hit and high-risk areas.
In the first 5 months of 2009, although there was no death from malaria, the number of malaria patients reduced by 20.51%, malaria-positive cases increased by 23.07%, especially in 5 districts of Tay Son, Vinh Thanh (+100%), An Lao (+60.0%), Van Canh (+40.0%), and Phu My (+33.33%). This year, the weather changed unusually, rainy season came early with high frequencies which create favourable conditions for malaria vectors to develop. In addition, the increasing positive cases made up a considerable resevoir of malaria in the community. This, together with a large number of population moving from malaria-free zones into malaria endemic areas in search for jobs, and those having habits of working late at night and sleeping in the forests posed higher risks on the increasing malaria situation in the coming time.
Under the guidance of the IMPE-Quy Nhon and the Provincial Health Service in terms of preventing the outbreaks of malaria, the Centre for Malaria control and other Iodine dificiency disorders of Binh Dinh province demanded leaderships of district health centres and health offices to carried out the following activities at the earnest:
- Actively direct the affiliated bodies (district general hospitals, communal health stations and mobile health teams) to concentrate on early detection and prompt treatment of malaria, to provide sufficient amounts of anti-malaria drugs for self-treatment at grass-root levels, to take and exam blood slides for malaria parasites for febrile cases coming from malaria-endemic areas and treat malaria cases with highly effective anti-malaria drugs such as artecan, arterakin. Severe and complicated cases should be treated with injectable artesunate and referred to higher levels without any delay;
- Epidemiological surveillance in malaria-endemic areas, areas of previous outbreaks, and villages with incoming population from malaria areas should be carried out by grass-roots levels. Upon detecting unusual number of suspected cases, reports of urgent situation should be sent to upper level for better management of malaria cases and deaths. Furthermore, the information and reporting system should be maintained and upgraded in order to assure timely, prompt and accurate reporting activities;
- Consultation with local authorities and party committees should be carried out about giving directions to other relating bodies in term of close coordination with the health sector on managing mobilised people. Also, protective measures should be applied to high-risk groups such as health education and communication, impregnation of bednets upon going to forests, provision of anti-malaria drugs for self-treatment.
- Make a plan for bednet impregnation with insecticides; organize bednet impregnation campaign in July, August effectively.