Impact of the oil industry on malaria diagnosis and management in north-east Scotland (1992-99).
In order to assess the current pattern of malaria presenting to the Aberdeen Infection Unit a retrospective casenote review was undertaken of 110 patients admitted with that diagnosis between 1st January 1992 and 31st August 1999. Oil-related work was the reason for travel in 48 (43.6%) of the UK residents, holiday in 35 (31.8%), backpacking in 8 (7.3%) and other work in 5 (4.5%). Sixty-five patients (59.1%) had PL falciparum malaria (pure or mixed), 25 (22.7%) had PL vivax, 6 (5.4%) PL ovale and 3 (2.7%) PL malariae infection. No prophylaxis had been taken by 66% of the 47 UK-based oil workers and by 36% of the other 48 UK residents who had returned from Africa. There is a need for better education of oil workers and holidaymakers travelling to areas endemic for malaria. We are now setting up a travel advisory service in our Unit to address the problem.
Mackenzie
A R
AR
Infection Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland. a.r.mackezie@_abdn.ac.uk
Laing
R B
RB
Douglas
J G
JG
Scott
N A
NA
Smith
C C
CC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007221:Industry; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010578:Petroleum; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel
D010578:Petroleum