Epidemic situation and control strategy of malaria in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018

Abstract

To analyze the epidemic situation of malaria and explore the targeted control strategy in Guangxi from 2011 to 2018. The malaria surveillance data were collected in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, and a descriptive method was employed to analyze the epidemiological features of the malaria cases. A total of 2 944 malaria cases were reported in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, including a case with local infection (0.03%) and 2 943 imported cases (99.97%). There were 2 933 cases (99.63%) positive for Plasmodium confirmed by laboratory testing, including 2 166 cases (73.86%) with P. falciparum malaria, 388 cases (13.23%) with P. ovale malaria, 276 cases (9.41%) with P. vivax malaria, 40 cases (1.36%) with P. malariae malaria and 62 cases (2.11%) with mixed infections, and 11 clinically diagnosed cases (0.37%). The malaria cases were distributed in 91 counties (districts) of 14 cities in Guangxi, with the largest number of cases found in Nanning City (2 515 cases, 85.43%). The malaria cases were originated from 29 countries in Africa (94.67%), 7 countries in Southeast Asia (5.10%), one country in South America (0.07%), 2 countries in South Asia and China (0.10%). In African countries, most malaria cases were from Ghana (1 947 cases, 66.13%), and in Southeast Asian countries, most cases were from Myanmar (75 cases, 2.55%). Most malaria cases were young men, and 2 899 cases (98.13%) were male, while 2 583 cases (87.74%) were at ages of 20 to 49 years. Gold washing and mining was the predominant occupation (2 561 cases, 86.99%), and the malaria cases were reported in each month across the year, with the largest number of cases detected in June (665 cases, 22.59%), while no season-specific distribution was found. There were 1 431 cases (48.61%) reported by disease control and prevention institutions, 1 511 cases (51.30%) reported by medical institutions, and 2 cases (0.07%) reported by inspection and quarantine institutions. During the period from 2011 to 2018, there were 6 deaths of imported malaria cases in Guangxi, and no secondary cases were reported. The epidemic situation of local malaria has been effectively controlled in Guangxi; however, there is a great challenge for the management of overseas imported malaria. Strengthening the monitoring and management of migrant labors is the key to consolidate the achievements of malaria elimination.