Evaluation of malaria surveillance in Trinidad (1988-1998)

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the sensitivity of the malaria surveillance system in Trinidad. Based on the number of cases (67) detected between 1989 and 1998 by hospital and commercial laboratories (HCL), the number (117) detected by active case detection by the Insect Vector Control Division (IVCD) during the same period, and the number detected by both (117; one further case self-reported), it was calculated that there were 3 undiagnosed cases (95% confidence interval 0-6) during the period concerned - HCL detected 55.4% of cases and the IVCD 97.5%. The characteristics of the 118 cases (of which 40 were transmitted in 2 outbreaks in Trinidad and the rest imported) are summarized in a table.