Study of Epidemiology of Malaria infections in Valsad region of South Gujarat

Abstract

Malaria is estimated as one of the top 3 killers among infectious diseases by WHO.The occurrence of malaria is highly influenced by factors related to the parasite, the vector, the human host and especially the environment. Malaria transmission highly depends on climatic conditions that may affect survival of mosquitoes such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity. In many places transmission is seasonal with the peak during and just after rainy season. The study on epidemiological pattern of malaria was performed at Valsad region of South Gujarat from January 2010 to July 2012. Out of 1390 blood samples collected from malaria suspected patients, 663 were found positive for malaria. About 405 (61.1%) and 258 (38.9%) cases were detected positive as Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum respectively. Majority of malaria infections occur between months of July to December with peak in August and September. Usually high number of cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria found in this region, but greater proportion of Plasmodium falciparum malaria was recorded after completion of rainy season in months November and December. Moreover large numbers of cases about 61.7% were found to occur in males and 38.3% in females. The mortality rate was recorded about 0.3%.