Malaria Reconnaissance of the Province of Camaguey in Cuba 1

Abstract

Summary 1. The continuing malaria survey of Cuba has been extended to Camagüey Province, and data collected here are now placed on record. 2. In the Province of Camagüey 7,068 children have been examined for splenomegaly and 3,374 for malaria parasites. The results of the examinations are presented and analyzed. 3. Both P. vivax and P. falciparum infections were encountered, but almost three times as many cases of the former were found as of the latter. 4. Camagüey Province is characterized by certain areas of moderate endemicity and areas of negligible to light endemicity. The occurrence of the areas of moderate endemicity seems to follow a pattern related to certain factors of topographic and natural drainage, which are described. The areas of moderate endemicity are situated in the western two thirds of the North Camagüey coastal plain and the central division of the Great Camagüey Plain. The municipalities and parts of municipalities involved are pointed out. It is likely that at times the endemic conditions which were encountered in the survey will be superseded by more or less extensive and severe epidemics, when local conditions are most favorable for the production of the amophelines which are the vectors of the disease and when other factors also may be favorable. 5. Three species of amophelines, Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles vestitipennis, and Anopheles crucians, have been encountered in the area surveyed. 6. As was the case in previously reported surveys from Cuba, it is believed that A. albimanus is the important vector of malaria in Camagüey Province.