Epidemiology of global malaria and imported malaria in China

  Objective  To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of global malaria and imported malaria in China, and provide scientific reference for the improvement of prevention and control measures of imported malaria at ports in China.

  Methods  The global malaria reports from WHO and CNKI database literature were retrieved. The incidence data of global malaria during 2010–2019 and imported malaria in China during 2017–2019 were collected for descriptive analysis and statistical analysis.

  Results  In terms of the risk for malaria and incidence of malaria, Africa had the most heavy burden of malaria in the world, and the malaria cases reported in Africa accounted for more than 90% of the global total. Africa was the main source region for the imported malaria cases in China, the imported malaria cases from Africa accounted for 87.81% of the total. Plasmodium falciparum was predominant Plasmodium species.

  Conclusion  Africa is the key region for global malaria prevention and control. After the elimination of indigenous malaria cases, the imported malaria, especially falciparum malaria, from Africa, pose a serious threat to the elimination of malaria in China. In addition to the basic prevention and control measures, it is essential to strengthen health quarantine at ports, joint efforts, intervention for risk population and early warning to improve capacity to the response of imported malaria cases in China.