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Objective@#To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of overseas imported dengue fever and malaria cases in Yunnan Province from 2015 to 2021, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of overseas imported arthropod-borne infectious diseases.@*Methods@#The data pertaining to imported dengue fever and malaria cases in Yunnan Province from 2015 to 2021 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and the temporal distribution, regional distribution, population distribution, sources, diagnosis and treatment of imported dengue fever and malaria cases were descriptively analyzed.@*Results@#Totally 4 332 overseas imported dengue fever cases and 2 011 overseas imported malaria cases were reported in Yunnan Province form 2015 to 2021, which accounted for 30.09% of all reported dengue fever cases and 98.53% of all reported malaria cases. The number of overseas imported dengue fever and malaria cases peaked from August to November (83.13% of all imported dengue fever cases) and from April to July (59.08% of all imported malaria cases), and the cases were predominantly reported in Dehong Prefecture (50.99% and 58.88%), with farmers as the predominant occupation (40.21% and 67.93%). The dengue fever and malaria cases were mainly imported from Southeast Asia (99.04% and 88.21%), and the proportions of definitive diagnosis of dengue fever and malaria were 88.33% and 97.80% at township hospitals, respectively.@*Conclusions@#The number of overseas imported dengue fever and malaria cases peaked from August to November and from April to July in Yunnan Province from 2015 to 2021, and the cases were predominantly reported in Dehong Prefecture and imported from Southeast Asia, with farmers as the predominant occupation.
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Objective To analyse the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases after malaria elimination in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide reference for malaria prevention and control in grassroots healthcare institutions. Methods All data pertaining to malaria cases reported in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022 were retrieved from Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System, and the data pertaining to vector monitoring and human malaria parasite infections from 2016 to 2022 were collected for a descriptive statistical analysis. Results A total of 14 imported malaria cases were reported in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022, including 12 cases with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, one case with P. vivax malaria and one case with P. ovale malaria, and all cases acquired infections in Africa and then returned to Yixing City. Malaria cases were reported across 2016 to 2022 except in 2020 and 2021. Malaria cases were predominantly reported during the period between December and February of the next year, and workers were the predominant occupation. The institutions where malaria was initially diagnosed included county-level general hospitals, county-level disease prevention and control institutions and grassroots healthcare centers, and there were 10 cases with definitive diagnosis of malaria on the day of initial diagnosis, with a 64.29% (9/14) correct rate of initial diagnosis. There were 5 cases diagnosed with severe malaria, and the standardized response rate was 100.00% following the “1-3-7” surveillance and response strategy. Of all malaria vectors, only Anopheles sinensis was monitored in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022, and all humans were tested negative for blood smears exceptimportedmalariacases. Conclusions The correct rate of initial malaria diagnosis was not high in healthcare institutions in Yixing City from 2016 to 2022, and there are still multiple challenges for prevention of re-establishment of imported malaria.
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ObjectiveTo characterize the prevalence and epidemic situation of imported malaria cases in Songjiang District of Shanghai from 2013 to 2022， and to provide evidence for malaria prevention and control. MethodsRelated data were collected and analyzed， including malaria cases， blood testing of febrile patients， and mosquito surveillance in Songjiang from 2013 to 2022. ResultsA total of 13 002 febrile patients in Songjiang were tested for plasmodium parasites from 2013 to 2022， among which 18 malaria cases were confirmed， including 17 cases of falciparum malaria and 1 case of ovale malaria. Moreover， a total of 36 malaria cases were notified in Songjiang through the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System from 2013 to 2022， including cases reported from Songjiang District and other districts or provinces with physical addresses in Songjiang. Of them， there were 31 cases of falciparum malaria， 2 cases of vivax malaria， 2 cases of ovale malaria and 1 case of quartan malaria. The gender ratio of male to female cases was 17∶1， and the majority was young and middle aged. In addition， 35 cases were imported from Africa and 1 case from southeast Asia； 34 cases were migrant workers， and 2 cases were travellers abroad； 17 cases were found and reported in Songjiang， 15 cases were reported from other districts of Shanghai， and 4 cases were reported from other provinces； 27 cases were treated in Shanghai， 3 cases were treated in other provinces and 6 cases were treated with self-provided antimalarial drugs. Mosquito surveillance in Songjiang showed that density of Anopheles sinensis was extremely low. ConclusionNo indigenous malaria case has been notified in Songjiang since 2008. Malaria surveillance on migrant workers remains the focus of malaria prevention and control. Furthermore， achievement of malaria elimination in Songjiang should be continually enhanced to avoid potential further transmission of imported malaria.
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A patient with fever, chills, and pancytopenia as major clinical manifestations was presented. To investigate the cause, the patient’s peripheral blood was collected for pathogen screening using metagenomic next - generation sequencing (mNGS). The DNA sequence of Leishmania donovani was detected, and Leishmania amastigotes were found in bone marrow smears using microscopy. The case was therefore definitively diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis, and was cured and discharged from hospital following treatment with liposomal amphotericin B for 14 days. This is the first imported case of visceral leishmaniasis since the founding of Shenzhen City in 1979.
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This article presents a severe cerebral malaria patient in shock with a close contact of COVID-19 that was successfully cured in a negative pressure ward during the global pandemic of COVID-19. The patient experienced a sudden onset of high fever and coma in a designated isolation hotel after returning from Africa, and was transferred to a designated hospital. Following antimalarial therapy, blood pressure elevation, increase of blood volume, bedside hemodialysis, mechanical ventilation, plasma and platelet transfusions, the case gradual recovered.
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Objective To examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemic status of imported malaria and national malaria control program in China, so as to provide insights into post-elimination malaria surveillance. Methods All data pertaining to imported malaria cases were collected from Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021. The number of malaria cases, species of malaria parasites, country where malaria parasite were infected, diagnosis and treatment after returning to China, and response were compared before (from January 1, 2018 to January 22, 2020) and after the COVID-19 pandemic (from January 23, 2020 to December 31, 2021). Results A total of 2 054 imported malaria cases were reported in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region during the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, and there were 1 722 cases and 332 cases reported before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. All cases were reported within one day after definitive diagnosis. The annual mean number of reported malaria cases reduced by 79.30% in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region after the COVID-19 pandemic (171 cases) than before the pandemic (826 cases), and the number of monthly reported malaria cases significantly reduced in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region since February 2020. There was a significant difference in the constituent ratio of species of malaria parasites among the imported malaria cases in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (χ2 = 146.70, P < 0.05), and P. falciparum malaria was predominant before the COVID-19 pandemic (72.30%), while P. ovale malaria (44.28%) was predominant after the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by P. falciparum malaria (37.65%). There was a significant difference in the constituent ratio of country where malaria parasites were infected among imported malaria cases in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (χ2 = 13.83, P < 0.05), and the proportion of malaria cases that acquired Plasmodium infections in western Africa reduced after the COVID-19 pandemic that before the pandemic (44.13% vs. 37.95%; χ2 = 4.34, P < 0.05), while the proportion of malaria cases that acquired Plasmodium infections in eastern Africa increased after the COVID-19 pandemic that before the pandemic (9.58% vs. 15.36%; χ2 = 9.88, P = 0.02). The proportion of completing case investigation within 3 days was significantly lower after the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic (96.69% vs. 98.32%; χ2= 3.87, P < 0.05), while the proportion of finishing foci investigation and response within 7 days was significantly higher after the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic (100.00% vs. 98.43%; χ2 = 3.95, P < 0.05). Conclusions The number of imported malaria cases remarkably reduced in Anhui Province, Hubei Province, Henan Province, Zhejiang Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a decreased proportion of completing case investigations within 3 days. The sensitivity of the malaria surveillance-response system requires to be improved to prevent the risk of secondary transmission of malaria due to the sharp increase in the number of imported malaria cases following the change of the COVID-19 containment policy.
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Abstract@#On March 12, 2022, a case with Plasmodium vivax malaria was reported in the First Hospital of Jiaxing City. The case sought healthcare services due to persist, sharp distending pain of the brain and fever on February 25, 2022, and the symptoms showed no improvements following symptomatic treatment. Microscopy identified malaria parasites on March 12, and the case was definitively diagnosed as P. vivax malaria on March 13. The case was discharged from hospital on March 16 and relapsed on June 15. The case was a veteran from the China-Myanmar border, where malaria is highly prevalent, and had no history of travel after returning to Jiaxing City on October 2021. Based on epidemiological history and laboratory tests, the case was diagnosed as a cross-border mosquito-borne imported case of P. vivax malaria. The case was given treatment with mosquito vector isolation, and the case's family members, neighbors and colleagues were all tested negative for malaria parasites. There was no Anopheles sinensis detected in the case' residence; however, Anopheles was detected in the neighboring areas, indicating a risk of re-establishment. Returners from high-risk regions including borders and labor exporters are recommended to be included in malaria surveillance, and the sensitivity of malaria surveillance requires to be maintained and the diagnostic and treatment capability of malaria requires to be improved in medical institutions.
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Objective:To analyze and compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis of imported patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Omicron variants and Delta variants, so as to provide references for clinical diagnosis, treatment and epidemic prevention strategies.Methods:The patients with imported 2019-nCoV infection from August 1, 2021 to January 18, 2022 in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. According to the whole genome sequencing of 2019-nCoV in nasal or throat swabs, they were divided into Omicron group and Delta group. The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, antibody levels, viral nucleic acid (the cycle threshold (Ct) of N gene and open reading frame ( ORF) 1 ab), main treatment measures and clinical prognosis were analyzed in the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the rank sum test, chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. Results:A total of 344 cases were enrolled, including 152 cases in the Delta group and 192 cases in the Omicron group, and there were 240 males (69.8%), with a median age of 33 years old. One hundred and two (29.7%) of those patients had underlying disease.Two hundred and seventy-one had completed full or booster vaccination. The overall full vaccination rate in Omicron group was 70.8%(136/192), which was higher than 51.3%(78/152) in Delta group. The proportion of mild patients in Omicron group was higher than that in Delta group (57.3%(110/192) vs 24.3%(37/152), respectively), and the proportions of common type and severe type were lower than those of the Delta group (33.9%(65/192) vs 55.3%(84/152) and 0(0/192) vs 10.5%(16/152)), the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=37.64 and 15.84, respectively, Fisher′s exact test; all P<0.001). The duration and peak of fever in Omicron group were 1.5(1.0, 2.0) d and 38.1(37.8, 38.5) ℃, respectively, which were lower than those in Delta group (3.0(1.0, 4.8) d and 38.5(38.1, 39.0) ℃, respectively), and the differences were both statistically significant ( Z=-4.14 and -3.85, respectively, both P<0.001). The 2019-nCoV antibody IgG and the Ct values of virus nucleic acid N gene and ORF1 ab gene in the vaccinated Omicron group at admission were higher than those in the Delta group ( Z=-3.25, -2.18 and -2.82, respectively, all P<0.050). Compared with patients in Delta group, patients in Omicron group had lower proportion of receiving respiratory therapy support, shorter oxygen therapy time, shorter reversion time from admission to nucleic acid Ct value≥35 and shorter hospitalization time. The differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=47.86, Z=-5.41, -5.60 and -4.71, respectively, all P<0.001). There was no critical illness or 28-day death case in both groups. Conclusions:The severity of patients infected with Omicron variants is lighter than that of patients with Delta variants, and the viral nucleic acid has shorter conversion time, which is mainly related to the virulence of variant strain and vaccination.
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@#The present paper reported a first imported case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 10-yearold child who returned from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia. Six weeks after his travel to Malaysia, two erythematous dermal nodules were developed over his right cheek and chin. Occurrence of intracellular amastigote of Leishmania was observed through examination of skin biopsy with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Furthermore, molecular analysis of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of Leishmania spp. confirmed the child was infected with Leishmania tropica. The child was given oral fluconazole and he had a 80% recovery before he went back to Saudi Arabia.
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Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of imported dengue fever in Pudong New Area of Shanghai from 2008 to 2020，and to explore its prevention and control strategy and measures． Methods The data of dengue fever cases in Pudong New Area from 2008 to 2020 were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemic characteristics. Results A total of 45 cases of dengue fever were reported in Pudong during 2008-2020, all the cases were mild, and no deaths were reported．The male-to-female ratio was 2.46:1. The group aged 20-49 years accounted for 86.67%．The most common occupation was commercial service personnel and cadres (25 cases, accounting for 55.56%). The peak of incidence was from July to October with a total of 35 cases (77.78%). All the cases were imported from abroad, mainly from Southeast Asia and South Asia (43 cases, 95.56%). 15 cases (33.33%) had been ill before entry. 22 cases (48.89%) were first treated in tertiary hospitals. The median time intervals from onset to first clinic visit, from first clinic visit to diagnosis, and from onset to diagnosis were 1.0 d, 5.0 d, and 7.0 d, respectively. Serotypes of dengue virus were mainly Type I, Type III and Type II, which were 9 cases, 7 cases, and 6 cases, respectively. Conclusion The epidemic situation of dengue fever in Pudong New Area from 2008 to 2020 is relatively stable, all imported from abroad. The focus of the prevention and control is to promote the health education for overseas travelers, strengthen the monitoring sensitivity at border ports, enhance the diagnostic level of medical institutions, and timely find and report cases.
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Objective To analyze and compare the epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Jiaozuo City before and after malaria elimination, so as to provide insights into the malaria surveillance during the post-elimination stage and prevention of re-establishment of imported malaria. Methods Data pertaining to the epidemic situation and individual investigation of malaria in Jiaozuo City before (from 2010 to 2016) and after malaria elimination (from 2017 to November, 2020) were captured from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System and the Information System for Parasitic Diseases Control and Prevention of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and were analyzed statistically. Results A total of 74 imported malaria cases were reported in Jiaozuo City from 2010 to 2021. Imported cases were predominantly Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases in Jiaozuo City before and after malaria elimination, and there was no significant difference in the proportion of malaria parasite species (χ2 = 0.234, P > 0.05). The imported malaria cases was predominantly reported in Wuzhi County, and was identified in overseas male farmers and businessmen at ages of 20 to 59 years, while the greatest number of imported malaria cases was reported in June and December before and after malaria elimination. The imported malaria cases predominantly acquired malaria parasite infections in sub-Saharan African countries; however, the proportion of imported malaria cases returning from Southeast Asian counties increased after malaria elimination than before malaria elimination (χ2 = 5.989, P < 0.05). The longest duration from onset to definitive diagnosis of malaria reduced from 27 days before malaria elimination to 18 days after malaria elimination, and the median duration reduced from 3 days to 2 days, while the proportion of definitive diagnosis of malaria increased from 60.47% before malaria elimination to 83.87% after malaria elimination (χ2 = 4.724, P < 0.05). In addition, the proportion of malaria cases definitively diagnosed and reported by medical institutions increased after malaria elimination than before malaria elimination (χ2 = 5.406, P < 0.05). Conclusions The imported malaria patients were predominantly P. falciparum malaria cases in Jiaozuo City during 2010 to 2021, and the patient’s medical care-seeking awareness and medical staff’s diagnosis and treatment ability have improved after malaria elimination. It is necessary to strengthen and improve malaria surveillance and response system and prevent the re-establishment of overseas imported malaria.
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OBJECTIVES@#With the continuous generation of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pressure of epidemic prevention and control continues to increase in China. Omicron with stronger infectiousness, immune escape ability and repeated infection ability spread to many countries and regions around the world in a short period of time. China has also successively reported cases of imported Omicron infections. This study aims to understand the epidemiological characteristics of Omicron variant via analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of imported patients with Omicron in Hunan Province, and to provide reference for preventing and controlling the imported epidemics.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of imported patients with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to Hunan Province from December 16 to December 31, 2021 were retrospectively collected. The epidemiological information, general information, clinical classification, clinical symptoms, vaccination status, and lung CT were analyzed. Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were collected. Virus nucleic acid was detected by magnetic beads method using SARS-CoV-2 detection kit. Ct values of ORF1ab gene and N gene were compared between asymptomatic infected patients and confirmed patients. The specific IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by chemiluminescence assay using SARS-CoV-2 IgM test kit and SARS-CoV-2 IgG test kit, respectively. Ct values of IgM and IgG antibodies were compared between asymptomatic infected patients and confirmed patients.@*RESULTS@#Seventeen patients with Omicron variant infection were treated in Hunan, including 15 confirmed patients (5 common type and 10 mild type) and 2 asymptomatic infection patients. The 17 patients were all Chinese, they were generally young, and 16 were male. There were 9 patients with diseases. Of them 3 patients had respiratory diseases. All 17 patients had completed the whole process of vaccination, but only one person received a booster shot of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The clinical manifestations of the patients were mild, mainly including dry/painful/itchy throat, cough, and fatigue. The total protein and creatine in the asymptomatic infection and confirmed cases infected with Omicron variant were all within the normal range, but other biochemical indicators were abnormal. There were the significant differences in C-reactive protein and fibrinogen between asymptomatic infection and confirmed patients (both P<0.05). There were more patients with elevated C-reactive protein in confirmed patients than without confirmed ones. The detection rate of specific IgM and IgG antibodies on admission was 100%, and there was no significant difference in the specific antibody levels between asymptomatic infection and confirmed patients (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in Ct values of ORF1ab gene and N gene (21.35 and 18.39 vs 19.22 and 15.67) between the asymptomatic infection and the confirmed patients (both P>0.05). Only 3 patients had abnormal lung CT, showing a small amount of patchy and cord-like shadows. One of them had no abnormality on admission but had pulmonary lesions and migratory phenomenon after admission.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The patients with Omicron variant tend to be young people and have milder clinical symptoms, but the viral load is high and the infectiveness is strong. Therefore, the timely identification and effective isolation and control for asymptomatic infections and confirmed patients with mild symptoms are extremely important. In terms of epidemic prevention and control, the government still needs to strengthen the risk control of overseas input, adhere to normalized epidemic prevention and control measures, to effectively control the source of infection, cut off the route of transmission, and protect vulnerable people.
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Female , Humans , Male , Asymptomatic Infections , C-Reactive Protein , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19 Vaccines , China/epidemiology , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulin M , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
An imported case of acute schistosomiasis was reported in Wuhan City in 2020. The case was infected with Schistosoma by contact with the infested water due to playing water in the Yangtze River when working out of Hubei Province. The patient visited four medical institutions and the duration from onset to definitive diagnosis was 20 days. The patient’s low awareness of schistosomiasis prevention and control knowledge and lack of diagnosis and treatment awareness for schistosomiasis among medical institutions were considered as main causes of the development of acute schistosomiasis and progression to severe case. Intensifying schistosomiasis health education among mobile populations and improving the awareness and capability of early diagnosis of schistosomiasis among clinicians are recommended.
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Objective To analyze the diagnosis and treatment of two imported cases with schistosomiasis haematobia, so as to provide insights into improving the diagnosis and treatment and avoiding misdiagnosis and mistreatment of imported schistosomiasis haematobia. Methods The medical records and epidemiological data pertaining to the two cases were collected. The stool and urine samples were collected for identification of Schistosoma eggs using the Kato-Katz technique and direct smear method after centrifugal precipitation, and blood samples were collected for detection of anti-Schistosoma antibody. Following definitive diagnosis, the patients were given praziquantel therapy. Results The patient 1, a Malagasy, was infected in Madagascar and returned to China for delivery. The case presented intermittent painless terminal hematuria symptoms, and showed no remarkable improvements following multiple-round treatments in several hospitals. In January 2017, she was found to be positive for anti-Schistosoma antibody, negative for feces test, and positive for S. haematobium eggs in urine test, and miracidia were hatched from eggs. Then, the case was diagnosed as schistosomiasis haematobia. Patient 2 worked in Republic of Malawi for many years, and presented intermittent painless terminal hematuria since October 2018; however, no definite diagnosis or effective treatment was received after admission to multiple hospitals. In March 2019, pathological examinations showed a number of eggs in the interstitium of the bladder mass, accompanied by a large number of eosinophils, which was consistent with schistosomiasis cystitis. In April 2019, he was tested positive for serum anti-Schistosoma antibody, negative for the fecal test, and had S. haematobium eggs in urine samples, with miracidia hatched from eggs. Then, the case was diagnosed as schistosomiasis haematobia. Following treatment with praziquantel at a dose of 60 mg/kg, all symptoms disappeared. Conclusions Overseas imported schistosomiasis haematobia is likely to be misdiagnosed. The training pertaining to schistosomiasis control knowledge requires to be improved among clinical professionals, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
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Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis of malaria cases in Nantong City from 2015 to 2020, so as to provide insights into the prevention of re-establishment of imported malaria and consolidation of malaria elimination achievements in the city. Methods The epidemic data of malaria in Nantong City from 2015 to 2020 were captured from the National Notifiable Disease Report System, the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control and individual epidemiological survey reports of malaria cases. The malaria parasite species, source of infections, population distribution, temporal distribution, spatial distribution and diagnosis of imported malaria cases were descriptively and statistically analyzed. Results A total of 241 malaria cases were reported in Nantong City from 2015 to 2020, and all were overseas imported cases, including 191 cases with Plasmodium falciparum malaria (79.25%), 8 cases with P. vivax malaria (3.32%), 33 cases with P. ovale malaria (13.69%) and 9 cases with P. malaria malaria (3.73%). Overseas imported malaria cases acquired infections from 34 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and 97.93% of the cases were infected in Africa, and 90.04% (217/241) were reported in Chongchuan District, Hai’an City and Haimen District. Imported malaria cases were aged from 20 to 68 years, and a median age of 45 (13) years, and 97.10% were male. The median duration between returning to China and malaria onset was 7 (9) days among all imported malaria cases, and the median duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis was 2 (2) days. There were 167 cases that were initially diagnosed as malaria, with a correct rate of 69.29%, and 53.53 (129/241) of malaria cases were diagnosed at city-level medical institutions and 41.49% (100/241) at county-level medical institutions. In addition, the proportion of malaria cases reported by city-level medical institutions increased from 39.62% in 2015 to 81.25% in 2020 (χ2 = 6.94, P < 0.01). Conclusions The accuracy of initial malaria diagnosis requires to be improved in Nantong City. Malaria control knowledge should be specially given to migrant workers to shorten the duration of seeking medical care, and malaria training requires to be intensified among healthcare professionals to improve the diagnostic capability of imported malaria cases and the cure of severe P. falciparum malaria cases.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of reported imported malaria cases in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020, so as to provide insights into the management of imported malaria in the city. Methods All data pertaining to cases with definitive diagnosis of malaria in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020 were captured from the National Notifiable Disease Report System and the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control in China, including individual demographic data, and malaria onset, initial diagnosis and definitive diagnosis data. All data were descriptively analyzed. The duration from malaria onset to initial diagnosis, from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis and from onset to definitive diagnosis was compared among cases. In addition, the diagnoses of imported malaria cases in which definitive diagnosis was made were compared with the reexaminations by Zhengzhou Municipal Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory. Results A total of 302 cases with definitive diagnosis of malaria were reported in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020, and all were imported cases, with Plasmodium falciparum malaria as the predominant type (230 cases, 76.2%). There were 293 malaria cases imported from Africa (293 cases, 97.0%), which mainly included Nigeria (48 cases, 15.9%), Angola (40 cases, 13.2%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (29 cases, 9.6%). There was no obvious seasonality found in the date of malaria onset and time of reporting malaria. The ratio of male to female malaria cases was 49.3:1, and there were 103 cases (34.1%) with the current residency address in Zhengzhou City, 193 cases (63.9%) with the current residency address in other cities of Henan Province and 6 cases (2.0%) in other provinces of China. There were 271 cases (89.7%) seeking initial diagnosis in medical institutions, and the diagnostic accuracy of malaria was 56.6% (171/302) at initial diagnosis institutions. A total of 122 cases (40.4%) sought medical care on the day of malaria onset, and 252 cases (86.4%) within 3 days; however, only 22 cases (7.3%) were definitively diagnosed on the day of onset, and 162 cases (53.6%) diagnosed within 3 days. There were no significant differences between malaria cases seeking initial diagnosis at medical institutions and disease control and prevention institutions in terms of the duration from malaria onset to initial diagnosis (Z = −1.663, P > 0.05), from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis (Z = −0.413, P > 0.05) or from malaria onset to definitive diagnosis (Z = −0.838, P > 0.05). The median duration (interquartile range) from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis of malaria was 3.00 (2.00), 3.00 (6.00), 2.00 (4.00) d and 1.00 (1.00) d among cases seeking medical care at township-level and lower, county-, city- and province-level medical institutions, and the median duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis of malaria was significantly longer among cases seeking medical care at township-level and lower medical institutions than at city (Z = −3.286, P < 0.008 33) and province-level medical institutions (Z = −9.119, P < 0.008 33), while the median duration from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis [1.00 (3.00) d vs. 2.00 (4.00) d; Z = −4.099, P < 0.016] and from malaria onset to definitive diagnosis [3.00 (4.00) d vs. 4.00 (5.00) d; Z = −2.868, P < 0.016] among malaria cases with the current residency address in Zhengzhou City was both shorter than in other cities of Henan Province. The diagnostic accuracy was 89.1% (269/302) among malaria cases in which definitive diagnosis was made, and the accuracy of malaria reexaminations was 94.0% (284/302) in Zhengzhou Municipal Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory. Conclusions P. falciparum malaria was predominant among reported imported malaria cases in Zhengzhou City from 2016 to 2020, and these imported malaria cases were predominantly diagnosed at medical institutions; however, the diagnostic capability of malaria is poor in township-level and lower medical institutions. Strengthening the collaboration between medical institutions and disease control and prevention institutions and improving the diagnostic capability building at medical institutions are recommended to consolidate malaria elimination achivements.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and diagnosis of imported malaria before and after malaria elimination in Nanjing City of Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the malaria control strategy after malaria elimination. Methods Data pertaining to the epidemic situation and individual investigation of malaria in Nanjing City before (from 2012 to 2016) and after malaria elimination (from 2017 to 2020) were captured from the National Notifiable Communicable Disease Reporting System and the Information System for Parasitic Diseases Control and Prevention and were analyzed statistically. Results A total of 178 malaria cases were reported in Nanjing City from 2012 to 2020, and all were imported cases. There were 99 malaria cases reported before malaria elimination in Nanjing City, including 78 cases with Plasmodium falciparum malaria (78.79%), 5 cases with P. vivax malaria (5.05%), 10 cases with P. ovale malaria (10.10%), 3 cases with P. malariae malaria (3.03%) and 3 cases with mixed infections (3.03%), and 79 malaria cases reported after elimination, including 63 cases with P. falciparum malaria (79.75%), 5 cases with P. vivax malaria (6.33%), 9 cases with P. ovale malaria (11.39%), 2 cases with P. malariae malaria (2.53%). There was no significant difference in the proportion of each type of malaria cases in Nanjing City before and after malaria elimination (χ2 =2.400, P > 0.05). Malaria cases mainly acquired Plasmodium infections in African regions, and no significant difference was seen in the proportion of malaria cases returning to Nanjing City from African countries before and after malaria elimination (χ2 = 0.093, P > 0.05). The number of malaria cases peaked in Nanjing City in January and during the period from May to July before elimination, and there was no apparent seasonal variation in the distribution of malaria cases after elimination. The proportion of malaria cases living in Nanjing City was significantly greater after malaria elimination than before elimination (72.15% vs. 55.56%; χ2 = 5.187, P = 0.023). The proportions of businessmen and international students were both 5.05% before malaria elimination, and increased to 15.19% and 13.92% after elimination, respectively (χ2 = 5.229 and 4.229, both P values < 0.05). The percentage of definitive diagnosis of malaria at initial diagnosis was 18.75% in county-level hospitals before malaria elimination and increased to 61.11% after elimination (χ2 = 6.275, P = 0.012), while the proportion of malaria cases with definitive diagnoses in county-level hospitals was 4.04% before malaria elimination and increased to 13.92% after elimination (χ2 = 5.562, P = 0.018). During the period from 2012 to 2020, the proportion of malaria cases with definitive diagnoses within 1 to 3 days post-admission increased from 27.27% in Nanjing City before malaria elimination to 45.57% after elimination (χ2 = 6.433, P = 0.011). Conclusions The epidemic situation of imported malaria remains serious in Nanjing City during the post-elimination stage, and malaria parasite infections predominantly occur in African regions. In addition, there are changes in regional and occupational distributions of malaria cases and the diagnostic capability of malaria increases in county-level hospitals in Nanjing City after malaria elimination. Further improvements in the malaria surveillance system and the diagnostic and treatment capability of malaria in medical institutions at each level are required to consolidate malaria elimination achievements in Nanjing City.
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Objective To analyze the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the new schistosomiasis surveillance program and consolidating schistosomiasis elimination achievements. Methods A total of 54 to 55 national surveillance sites and 6 risk monitoring sites were assigned in historical endemic regions of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019, where the Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans, livestock, snails and wild feces were monitored. All data pertaining to the surveillance results were descriptively analyzed. Results There were 34 530 person-time local residents receiving serological screening for S. japonicum infections in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections were 0.29% to 0.68%; however, no egg-positives were detected. During the period from 2015 to 2019, there were 62 086 person-time mobile populations receiving serological screening for S. japonicum infections in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections were 0.32% to 0.56%; additionally, there were 27 egg-positives identified, including 3 imported cases with schistosomiasis haematobia and one case with acute schistosomiasis japonica, indicating that the adjusted prevalence of Schistosoma infections were 0.01% to 0.07% among mobile populations. A total of 829 livestock were examined for S. japonicum infections, with no positives detected. There were 10.55 hm2 and 2.89 hm2 snail habitats found in national surveillance sites and risk monitoring sites of Zhejiang Province during the 5-year period, respectively; however, no S. japonicum infections were identified in snails. Moreover, a total of 305 wild feces were tested for S. japonicum infections, and no egg-positives were identified. Conclusions The schistosomiasis elimination achievement have been consolidated in Zhejiang Province; however, the risk factors of re-emerging schistosomiasis have not been completely eliminated, such as residual snails and imported schistosomiasis cases. Further surveillance and control activities of snails and the source of S. japonicum infections should be reinforced.
ABSTRACT
Objective To increase the awareness of malaria prevention and control among people going abroad and returners, so as to prevent the local retransmission of oversea imported malaria. Methods Health education interventions for malaria control were given to people going abroad and returners in communities, and the changes of malaria prevention and control knowledge and medical-seeking behaviors were observed among the target populations. Results There were 367 people going abroad and oversea returners from malaria-endemic areas in Zhangjiagang City from July 2018 to December 2019, and 18 imported malaria cases were found. Following the implementation of community health education, the awareness of malaria prevention and control knowledge increased significantly from 35.09% to 93.08% among the target populations (χ2 = 78.130, P < 0.01), and the proportions of carrying anti-malarial drugs and administration of anti-malarial drugs for emergency treatment increased from 12.14% and 11.46% to 26.79% and 26.79% (χ2 = 8.793 and 9.834, P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, the mean duration from malaria onset to the definitive diagnosis reduced from (5.86 ± 4.45) days to (3.11 ± 1.28) days (U = 64.000, P < 0.05). Conclusion Community health education based on the precision community administration is an effective approach for malaria control in current era.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the epidemiological features and diagnosis of imported malaria cases in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the management of imported malaria in the province. Methods The data of malaria cases reported in Zhejiang Province were captured from the Information Management System for Parasitic Disease Control of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention from 2017 to 2020, and the temporal, spatial and human distribution, and initial and definitive diagnosis of imported malaria cases were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 593 malaria cases were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020, and all were overseas imported cases, including 532 men and 61 women, with a mean age of 41 years. There were 93.93% of the malaria cases from African countries, and the malaria parasites infecting these cases included Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and mixed infections, with P. falciparum as the predominant species (76.73%, 455/593). All malaria cases received totally correct initial diagnoses in county- and city-level centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) and entry-exit inspection and quarantine sectors, and the proportion of malaria cases with confirmation at the day of initial diagnosis was 41.48% (207/499) in medical institutions and 66.18% (45/68) in CDC (χ2 = 14.779, P < 0.001). In addition, the median interval [M (QR)] of malaria cases was 1 (2) d from onset to initial diagnosis and 1 (2) d from initial diagnosis to confirmation in Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2020, and the median interval [M (QR)] of severe malaria cases was significantly longer than that of non-severe cases [2 (3) d vs. 1 (2) d; Z = −3.002, P < 0.05]. Conclusions Zhejiang Province faces great challenges of malaria control, and post-elimination surveillance of malaria still requires to be reinforced. Meanwhile, the awareness of seeking medical services requires to be improved among returners from malaria-endemic regions and the diagnostic capability of malaria requires to be improved among medical professionals.