The epidemiology of malaria in the Papua New Guinea highlands: 2. Eastern Highlands Province.
The epidemiology of malaria in Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) is characterized by generally very low-level or no local malaria transmission but a considerable risk of epidemics. In non-epidemic situations, parasite prevalence was under 5% in all but one area, Lufa Valley, where P. vivax was the most common parasite (prevalence rate of 58%). During epidemics, however, 23% (range 8-63%) of people were infected, with P. falciparum the predominant parasite. Mixed infections were very common (12%) but P. malariae and P. ovale were rare. Outside epidemics, malaria was only a minor source of febrile illness and enlarged spleens and anaemia (haemoglobin level < 7.5 g/dl) were virtually absent. However, epidemics were associated with a high incidence of relatively severe morbidity, both in terms of fevers and moderate to severe anaemia. Epidemic prevention, surveillance and response therefore are priorities in malaria control in EHP.
Mueller
Ivo
I
Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 60, Goroka, EHP 441, Papua New Guinea.
Bjorge
Steve
S
Poigeno
Gimana
G
Kundi
Julius
J
Tandrapah
Tony
T
Riley
Ian D
ID
Reeder
John C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D013163:Splenomegaly