Prevalence study of Malaria among Travelers Coming from Endemic Areas to Egypt

Abstract

Background : The aim of the work is to assess the prevalence of malaria in travelers coming from endemic areas to Egypt either  Egyptians or foreigners within two months of their arrival to Egypt.

Methods: Sites of study were Zagazig city, Tropical Medicine  Department and Medical Parasitology Department, Zagazig University, Sharkyah Fever Hospitals and Abbasiah Fever Hospital, Cairo.  Considering that all participants fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study.

Results: During the study period,  the registered participants were 300 and were included as a comprehensive sample. The positive malaria patients were 18 (6% of all  participants).

Conclusion: Foreign-acquired malaria infections have been elevated to a major concern for Egyptian travelers to African  countries. To reduce the danger of catching the disease while traveling, high-risk groups should be made more aware of and given access  to effective prophylactic measures against exposure to mosquito bites and malaria parasites. Increased capability for imported  case detection is required to reduce the burden of fatal cases, severe malaria, as well as prevent secondary malaria transmission among  Egyptians. RDTs have been found to be simple and effective for the rapid detection of malaria, which may encourage Egypt to put control  measures against imported malaria into place.