Migration malaria associated with forest economy in central India
Neeru Singh; Chand, S.K.; Mishra, A.K.; Nagpal, A.C.
Current Science 87(12): 1696-1699
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0011-3891 Document Number: 263929
An investigation on malaria was carried out between 28 April and 30 June 2003 after reports of high fever and deaths in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, during the dry, hot weather. Inquiries revealed that 39 people from 14 families who went to the forest in Panna district to collect mahua (Madhuca indica [M. longifolia] flowers for making liquor) developed high fever, 2 of them died. Examination of the remaining 37 migrants revealed that 31 (84%) of them were infected with Plasmodium falciparum and one died. All patients were admitted to hospital for prompt treatment. A follow-up of 30 patients on day 14 post-treatment revealed that 7 patients were still parasitaemic. They were successfully treated with a single dose of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Examination of blood smears from 150 people living near the houses of migrants showed that none was positive for malaria. The site (Pawai, Panna) where the migrants went for occupational activities was investigated. Point prevalence surveys conducted in 10 villages revealed 244 fever cases, of which 155 had malaria (88 were infected with P. falciparum and 27 with P. vivax). Mass surveys in 3 villages revealed 314 fever cases, of which 95 had malaria (82 were infected with P. falciparum and 13 with P. vivax). Entomological monitoring revealed the presence of Anopheles culicifacies, A. subpictus, A. annularis, A. pallidus, A. varuna, A. theobaldi and A. splendidus. The epidemiological role of migrants in malaria transmission is discussed.