Malaria epidemiological trends in Italy.
Based on the official reports received from local health laboratories, an epidemiological analysis of malaria cases reported in Italy from 1989 to 1992 is presented. A total of 1,941 cases were reported, 1,287 among Italians and 654 among foreigners. The incidence of cases was on average 500 per year with a maximum in 1990. A slight, but constant decrease of incidence of malaria cases was recorded in this period among Italian citizens (-21.5%), while the incidence among foreigners increased (+80%). Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 74.2% of total infections, followed by P. vivax (19%). The highest number of cases was imported from Africa (86.5%), followed by Asia, South America, and Oceania. 11 cases were contracted in Europe (transfusion, airport and cryptic malaria). 26 people died from malaria during the four years, with a fatality rate of 2.3% among Italians. Other epidemiological features concerning incidence in the different categories of travellers, countries of infection, clinical and therapeutic aspects of cases, are also discussed.
Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Laboratory of Parasitology, Rome, Italy.
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Sabatinelli
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Majori
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D'Ancona
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Romi
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000367:Age Factors; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000208:ethnology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013020:South America / Q000208:ethnology; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014195:Travel
D000962:Antimalarials