title: The epidemiology of malaria in the Papua New Guinea highlands: 2. Eastern Highlands Province.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 60, Goroka, EHP 441, Papua New Guinea.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bjorge
authors.forename: Gimana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poigeno
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kundi
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tandrapah
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reeder
mesh_terms: 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