title: Epidemiology and spatial analysis of malaria in the Northern Peruvian Amazon.
abstract: A retrospective surveillance study was conducted to examine the micro-geographic variation of malaria incidence in three malaria-endemic communities in the Northern Peruvian Amazon. The annual malaria risk rate (per 100) ranged from 38% to 47% for Plasmodium vivax and from 15% to 18% for P. falciparum. Spatial clusters were found for P. vivax in Padre Cocha, Manacamiri, and Zungaro Cocha, and for P. falciparum only in Padre Cocha. Spatial-temporal clusters showed that the highest monthly number of P. vivax cases varied every year from December to March in 1996-1997 and from February to June in 1998-1999, and for P. falciparum from November to April in 1996-1997 and from January to April in 1998-1999. Our results suggest a constant presence of high-risk areas (hot spots) for malaria infection in periods with high or low malaria incidence. Modest targeted control efforts directed at identified high-risk areas may have significant impact on malaria transmission in this region.
authors.affiliation: US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment, Lima, Peru. cbautista@hivresearch.org
authors.forename: Christian T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.forename: Adeline S T
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calampa
authors.forename: Marty H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roper
authors.forename: Allen W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Hightower
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Magill
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D014329:Tropical Climate