Surveillance and Response to Imported Malaria During the COVID-19 Epidemic — Anhui Province, China, 2019–2021
Tao Zhang, Jingjing Jiang, Xiaofeng Lyu, Xian Xu, Shuqi Wang, Zijian Liu, Jianhai Yin, Weidong Li
Abstract
<abstract abstract-type="Summary"> <sec> <b>What is already known about this topic?</b> China was certified malaria-free on June 30, 2021. However, imported malaria continuously threatens the effort to prevent re-establishment of malaria in China. </sec><sec> <b>What is added by this report?</b> Measures such as international travel restrictions, entry quarantine, and screening in fever clinics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period were associated with a significant decrease of imported malaria cases in Anhui Province, a higher proportion of non-<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> (non-<i>P. falciparum</i>) malaria reported infections, and a higher proportion of cases requiring medical attention at their initial visit. </sec><sec> <b>What are the implications for public health practices?</b> It is necessary to be vigilant about imported malaria during the COVID-19 epidemic, especially for non-<i>P. falciparum</i> infections which are more difficult to detect, and to promote research, development, and introduction of more sensitive and specific point-of-care detection methods for non-<i>P.</i> <i>falciparum</i> species. </sec>