In January 2011, malaria situation tended to decrease in the whole region of Central Vietnam, but increase partially in some provinces, especially having cases of malaria death, together with the complicated developments of parasitic diseases, which have placed on the alert of disease outbreaks before entering spring-summer disease season.
Malaria situation
According to the statistic of IMPE-Quy Nhon, malaria morbidity of Central Vietnam were 1,389/1,454 cases, decreasing by 4.47% with the West Highland 10.30% lower, the Central coastal area 0.93% higher against the same period of 2010. 7 over 15 provinces had higher malaria morbidity included Ninh Thuan (+50.00%), Binh Thuan (+39.06%), Binh Dinh (+22.50%), Gia Lai (+14.03%), Quang Ngai (+10.00%), Quang Nam (+9.66%), Quang Binh (+2.94%), while Hue and Da Nang had no increase and decrease in malaria morbidity. 6 over 15 provinces had lower malaria morbidity included Dak Nong (-51.70%), Phu Yen (-32.08%), Khanh Hoa (-30.69%), Quang Tri (-26.87%), Dak Lak (-18.54%) and Kon Tum (-0.93%).
The malaria parasite rate in the whole region, as compared with the same period of 2010, increased by 3.85%, with the Central Coastal area 2.22% higher and the West Highlands 6.04% up. 10 over 15 provinces had higher malaria parasites included Quang Ngai (+657.14%), Hue (+425%), Quang Binh (+407.14%), Da Nang (+160%), Kon Tum (+74.47%), Ninh Thuan (+48.15%), Gia Lai (+34.95%), Binh Dinh (+30.30%), Binh Thuan (+22.22), Khanh Hoa (+11.74%). 5 over 15 provinces had lower malaria parasites, including Quang Nam (-47.78%), Dak Nong (-46.49%), Phu Yen (-31.91%), Quang Tri (-29.59%), Dak Lak (-16.05%).
Severe and complicated malaria: 5 over 15 provinces of the whole region reported a 8.33% higher against the same period of last year; the Central coastal area had no change (not increasing and decreasing), the West Highlands decreased by 8.33%. The provinces had cases of complicated malaria included Gia Lai (8), Dak Lak (2), Ninh Thuan (1), Da Nang (1), Kon Tum (1).
Malaria death: In January 2011, the whole region had 3 deaths from malaria (Gia Lai 1, Kon Tum 1, Da Nang 1).
Evaluation of malaria situation in January 2011
Although malaria situation of the whole region decreased, the rate of malaria morbidity still increased in some regional provinces such as Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, especially cases of severe and complicated malaria increased and having 3 cases of malaria mortality. Malaria mortality often occurred in mobilised people and lately-admitted patients. It proved an ineffectiveness of the health education and comunication in the community. On the other hand, the weather of the region often changed unusually and affect directly to the whole region.
To control the increase of malaria situation, the departments of the Institue, the provincial malaria control centres/provincial centres for preventive medicine continue to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance to reduce the risk of the malaria spread.
Situation of Fascioliasis and parasitic and entomological diseases
In January 2011, there were 2,646 people coming to the IMPE's clinic for medical examination, of which 128 infected with Fascioliasis, making up 4.8%, and the rest was cases of other parasites such as Toxocara canis (2400), Strongyloides stercoralis (182), Ancylostoma duodenale (98), Opisthorchis viverrini (140), etc.