In February 2010, malaria situation in Central Vietnam continue to increase seriously in most of provinces. In some areas, malaria indicators increased by 100 – 200%; even above 1,000%. Therefore, IMPE-Quy Nhon warned of increasing malaria situation and strengthened control measures for people.
Malaria situation in Central Vietnam in February 2010 against the same period of last year
Malaria morbidity
Malaria morbidity in the whole region, as compared with the same period of 2009, increased by 46.49% (1,418/986 cases), with the Central Coastal area 41.33% higher, the West Highlands 50.97% up.
- 11/15 provinces had higher malaria morbidity, including Quang Nam (195.38%), Phu Yen (182.35%), Dak Lak (178.13%), Khanh Hoa (51.30%), Quang Tri (51.16%), Quang Ngai (42.86%), Dak Nong (25%), Binh Dinh (20%), Binh Thuan (17.02%), Ninh Thuan (11.90%) and Gia Lai (8.38%).
- 3/15 provinces had lower malaria morbidity, including Thua Thien – Hue (-15%), Kon Tum (-14.78%), Quang Binh (-5%).
Malaria parasites
The malaria parasite rates in the whole region, as compared with the same period of 2009, increased by 197.11%, with the Central Coastal area 194.83% higher, the West Highlands 199.52% up.
Nearly all provinces (14/15) with increased rates of malaria parasites included Quang Nam (1,019.2%), Dak Lak (529.74%), Kon Tum (474.10%), Khanh Hoa (325.91%), Quang Binh (206.73%), Phu Yen (181.83%), Binh Thuan (176.87%), Quang Ngai (25.35%), Binh Dinh (109.21%), Dak Nong (116.49%), Gia Lai (34.72%), Thua Thien-Hue (8.16%), Quang Tri (114.10%) and Ninh Thuan (27.37%).
Only one province (Danang city) had not increased and not decreased parasite rate.
Severe and complicated malaria:
5 cases were reported, similar to the same period of last year. Three provinces with severe and complicated cases were Dak Nong (3 cases), Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan one case each.
Malaria mortality:
There was 1 death from malaria in Binh Thuan province
Evaluation of malaria situation in February, 2010
In February of 2010, malaria indexes continued to increase highly in most of provinces, except Da Nang city. The malaria morbidity raised 46.5% and the parasite rates increased by 197%. In some provinces, parasite rates increased by above 100% ( Dak Lak, Kon Tum, Khanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Dak Nong); even increased by 1000% (Quang Nam) and 1 death higher against the same period of last year.
The increase of malaria-causing agent (malaria parasites) in malaria-endemic areas was in association with the appearance of malaria main vectors (i.e An.minimus and An.dirus), so the risks of malaria transmission could be at high.
High malaria morbidity rates were mainly due to mobilised people ( people working in the forest, sleeping in the field huts and crossing the borders) and changeable weatherwhich created favourable conditions for the development of vector-borne diseases. Although malaria situation tended to increase against the same time of last year, it was not out of control of localities, which actively conducted intensively control measures. The Institute directed and strengthened malaria control measures and epidemiological surveillance at high-risk areas.
Fascioliasis and other helminths situation
There were totally 1,025 patient-times coming to seek diagnosis and treatment at the clinic in February of 2010. Among the patients, 68 cases were treated with Fascioliasis, accounting for 6.63%, the remaining patients were diagnosed and treated with other common helminths such as Toxoplasmosis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia solium, Gnathostoma stercoralis.