Malaria

Introduction and Prophylactic

Mosquito borne malaria is found in all areas of India, except the highest elevations in the northernmost part of the country. Malaria continues to be transmitted in all major cities in India, as well as all rural areas. Since cases of Malaria do not have to be reported to health authorities, newspaper reports about the resurgence of the disease are mainly anecdotal. There is, however, some WHO documentation. The Centres for Disease Control (USA) recommend Mefloquine (Larium) for anti-malarial chemo-prophylaxis for travellers. The UK still recommends Chloroquine and Paludrine.

Epidemiology

Malaria is not a notifiable disease in India. Private practitioners who treat malaria are not required to report to any public health agency. As a result, statistics on the incidence of Malaria are sparse. Although Plasmodium Vivax is the predominant species of parasite causing human malaria in India, infections with Plasmodium Falciparum, or cerebral malaria, also occur in all parts of the country. The incidence of P. Falciparum is not very well known. Chloroquine-resistant strains of P. Falciparum have been documented throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Epidemiological Data from WHO

Figures refer to all of India.