Epidemiological aspects of antimalarial control in a country free of autochthonous infections, Chile

Aspectos epidemiológicos del control antimalarico en un país libre de infecciones autóctonas, Chile

Objective. To carry out bibliographic analysis regarding imported malaria in Chile. Materials and methods. Periodic publications, reports, and epidemiological bulletins published in Chile between 1945 and 2020 were reviewed. The cases were tabulated in a database in terms of the number of cases, gender, nationality, and/or origin. Vector presence data were collected in terms of sampling location. Results. Twenty-four imported malaria cases (13 Chileans) to the territory were reported in the period. Between 1990 and 2001 there were 66 new cases, men (75.8%). Between 2011 and 2019, 114 new cases were reported, one of them fatal, (the only death since 2005). Most of those infected are concentrated in the 25-45 year age range. Continuously, most natural breeding sites for Anopheles pseudopuntipennis mosquitoes have been detected in the northern part of the country. Conclusions. The increase in international travel by Chileans and the immigration rate of foreigners could have increased notification. The absence of autochthonous cases would have been achieved by the early diagnosis, isolation, treatment, and elimination of breeding foci of Anopheles. Since 2004, malaria has been a disease of immediate mandatory notification in Chile.

1. Ministerio de Salud de Chile (2020). Informe: situación epidemiológica, diagnóstico y tratamiento de malaria. Acceso 26-03-2021. https://diprece.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Informe-Situacion-epidemiologica-diagnostico-y-tratamiento-de-malaria-2020.pdf

2. Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile. (2012). Boletín ISP. Vigilancia de Malaria. Chile, 2005-2012. Acceso 26-03-2021. https://www.ispch.cl/sites/default/files/boletin_malaria_0.pdf

3. Schenone F, H., Olea N, A., Rojas S, A., & García D, N. (2002). Malaria en Chile: 1913 - 2001. Revista Médica de Chile, 130(10), 1170–1176. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872002001000013