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.
Sabatinelli
G
G
Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Laboratory of Parasitology, Rome, Italy.
Majori
G
G
D'Ancona
F
F
Romi
R
R
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