Possible interruption of malaria transmission, highland Kenya, 2007-2008.
Highland areas where malaria transmission is unstable are targets for malaria elimination because transmission decreases to low levels during the dry season. In highland areas of Kipsamoite and Kapsisiywa, Kenya (population approximately 7,400 persons), annual household indoor residual spraying with a synthetic pyrethroid was performed starting in 2005, and artemether/lumefantrine was implemented as first-line malaria treatment in October 2006. During April 2007-March 2008, no microscopy-confirmed cases of malaria occurred at the sites. In 4 assessments of asymptomatic persons during May 2007-April 2008, a total of <0.3% of persons were positive for asexual Plasmodium falciparum by microscopy or PCR at any time, and none were positive by PCR at the last 2 sample collections. Our findings show that in such areas, interruption and eventual elimination of malaria transmission may be achievable with widespread annual indoor residual spraying of households and artemisinin combination therapy.
John
Chandy C
CC
Global Pediatrics Program, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, 850 Mayo, MMC-296, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. ccj@umn.edu
Riedesel
Melissa A
MA
Magak
Ng'wena G
NG
Lindblade
Kim A
KA
Menge
David M
DM
Hodges
James S
JS
Vulule
John M
JM
Akhwale
Willis
W
D000818:Animals; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D009032:Mosquito Control; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011891:Rain; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005449:Fluorenes; D007306:Insecticides; C031327:artemisinin