Screening and diagnosis of two imported malaria cases under the situation of epidemic prevention and control of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

To analyze the screening and diagnosis process of two imported malaria cases under the situation of COVID-19 epidemics in Beijing, and explore the rapid diagnosis method of malaria. During COVID-19 epidemics, the 1 st case was diagnosed with malaria in Malawi, Africa in Feb. 2020, and felt cured then returned to Beijing in March, however, the delayed diagnosis of malaria was provided due to his positive IgG and IgM to COVID-19 and associated isolation measures. The 2nd case was returned to Beijing in Oct. 2020, and found with fever as high as 40 degrees C during his isolation period for COVID-19, and the final diagnosis of malaria was made until parasitemia was found in his blood smear and other relative clinical signs appeared 8 days after the onset of fever. Both the two cases were confirmed by microscopic observations and fluorescent PCR detection. Fortunately, they recovered to health sooner after proper diagnosis and treatment. In the outbreak of a major public health event, scientific prevention and control measures are needed, carefully screening the imported infectious diseases such as malaria, and preventing the occurrence of serious consequences. To respond for the possible infection of COVID-19, more careful differential diagnosis of fever related infections should be strengthened and the awareness of malaria and other fever related infection should not be neglected.