Imported Malaria in Children in Industrialized Countries, 1992–2002

摘要

Children account for an appreciable proportion of to-tal imported malaria cases, yet few studies have quantifi ed these cases, identifi ed trends, or suggested evidence-based prevention strategies for this group of travelers. We there-fore sought to identify numbers of cases and deaths, Plas-modium species, place of malaria acquisition, preventive measures used, and national origin of malaria in children. We analyzed retrospective data from Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States and data provided by the United Nations World Tourism Organi-zation. During 1992–2002, >17,000 cases of imported ma-laria in children were reported in 11 countries where malaria is not endemic; most (>70%) had been acquired in Africa. Returning to country of origin to visit friends and relatives was a risk factor. Malaria prevention for children should be a responsibility of healthcare providers and should be sub-sidized for low-income travelers to high-risk areas