In the first five months of 2009, malaria situation of Central Vietnam tended to increase compared with previous years and three deaths were reported. In order to prevent the outbreak from occurring, the IMPE-Quy Nhon offered notice warning of possible outbreaks and provived guidelines for malaria control measures in the region.
According to the statistics of first four months of 2009 in Central Vietnam, malaria rate of the whole region reduced by 3.32%; of which provinces in the central coastal area reduced by 9.7% whereas those in the West Central Highland increased by 5.26% compared with 2008. The provinces with higher malaria morbidity in the first four months include Quang Tri (+25.12%), Phu Yen (+9.68%), Binh Thuan (+50,75%), and Gia Lai (+30,12%); especially there are 3 deaths (no death was reported in the same period of 2008)
Because of increasing malaria situation, the Institue has sent groups of investigators to conduct malaria epidemiological surveillance in all provinces of the region. From the analysed data and statistics, they found a considerable trend of increased malaria indicators in comparison with 2008, especially higher densities of malaria main vectors (An.minimus and An.dirus) in some inspected localities.
It is predicted that the malaria situation will tend to increase by the end of 2009. In order to prevent the possible outbreaks of malaria, the IMPE-Quy Nhon takes the initatives of giving guidelines on malaria control measures in high-risk provinces as follows:
1. Provincial malaria control centres/Provincial centres for preventive medicine should concentrate on directing malaria control measures effectively, strengthen protection measures for high-risk populations (those going to work in the forests, sleeping in the field huts, children and pregnant women)
2. Provide early detection and prompt treatment of malaria patients at the grass-roots levels (district, commune, village); also give anti-malaria drugs for self-treatment in malaria-endemic areas; carry out indoor residual sprays and bednet impregnation for vector control.
3. Strengthen supervision at malaria-endemic areas, send staff to collect data, analyse and forecast malaria situation timely;
4. Send warning notices on malaria situation to all districts, including non-malaria ones for precautious purposes and suggest immediate control measures.
5. Report to Institute regularly on malaria situation in endemic areas and mortality rate (if any), including data of malaria epidemiological surveillance carried out by provincial level in order to be well-prepared for directing and supporting preventive measures.
The IMPE-Quy Nhon asks the provinces to deploy plan on malaria control activities in the end months of 2009 effectively and work effectively to prevent outbreaks from occurring in the region.