Malaria situation in Iran: 2002\u20132017

Hassan Vatandoost,Fatemeh Nikpour,Ahmad Raeisi,Jalil Nejati,Abedin Saghafipour

doi:10.1186/s12936-019-2836-5

Abstract

BackgroundMalaria is considered as a major threat to health systems. It is still considered as one of the most important infectious diseases in Iran, but with an elimination goal in 2025. This study aimed to review the malaria situation in Iran over the 16 years.MethodsThe data was collected from epidemiological registration forms that had been completed by physicians and malaria focal points in the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ResultsDuring the study period, 134,273 malaria cases were reported. The malaria incidence decreased from 0.24/1000 cases in 2002 to 0.01/1000 in 2017. From 2009 onward, the number of imported cases increased in comparison with the autochthonous and indigenous cases. Most cases were seen in males and people over 15 years of age. Moreover, the dominant registered reports were from rural areas. Most malaria cases were reported from the south and southeastern of Iran. Plasmodium vivax was the dominant species.ConclusionThe dramatic drop in the incidence of autochthonous cases can hopefully support malaria elimination as a major goal in the near future.

Highlights

Malaria is considered as a major threat to health systems
The aim of this study was to analyse the malaria situation in Iran over a 16 years period
In this study, the data on human malaria cases were provided by the national malaria surveillance system of Iran

Summary

Introduction

Malaria is considered as a major threat to health systems It is still considered as one of the most important infectious diseases in Iran, but with an elimination goal in 2025. Most of the global malaria burden (80%) is carried by 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and India [1]. It is one of the most important communicable diseases transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes [2]. There are proven and effective tools to fight malaria, including vector control measures As these tools are scaled up, malaria-endemic countries need to continually update the skills and competence of the health workers engaged in malaria control and elimination [3]. Malaria is still one of the most important infectious diseases, with about 15,000

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