title: Malaria risk in Corsica, former hot spot of malaria in France.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria was very high in Corsica just before the Second World War. The last outbreak was in 1972 and the most recent indigenous case was in 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of historical data shows that anopheline vectors were abundant. Recent surveys demonstrated that potential vectors are still present in Corsica, despite the likely disappearance of Anopheles sacharovi. Moreover, P. falciparum can develop experimentally into these mosquitoes, notably Anopheles labranchiae, which is locally abundant, and parasites are regularly introduced into the island.
  The presence of vectors, the introduction of parasites and the conducive climate raise questions about the possibility of malaria re-emerging and becoming re-established in Corsica. Analysis of historic and current parasitological and entomological data shows that the current theoretical risk of indigenous cases or malaria foci is negligible, particularly since there is very little contact between humans and Anopheles mosquitoes, Plasmodium carriers are reliably treated and there is a widespread vector control on the island.
authors: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UR016, 911 avenue Agropolis, BP64501, 34394 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Toty
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Barré
authors: Gilbert
authors: G
authors: Le Goff
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Larget-Thiéry
authors: Nil
authors: N
authors: Rahola
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Couret
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Fontenille
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000469:parasitology*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000254:growth & development; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012306:Risk