ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate malaria situation in areas of Yunnan Province bordering with Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. METHODS: Blood samples on filter paper were collected from the entry people in March to December of 2007 involving 19 national and provincial ports of entry. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was carried out by using the blood samples collected before June 30 as the first half year and after July 1 as the second half year. Analysis was made on the relationship of IFAT positive rate and GMRT to malaria incidence in the province reported by the China information system for disease control and prevention. RESULTS: IFAT positive rate in the first half year (5.6%) was 20.9% higher than that of second half year (4.4%) (chi2=12.95%, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between IFAT positive rate and the number of malaria cases reported in 2007 from the 8 bordering prefectures (r=0.8124, P<.05). The highest IFAT positive rate was found in Dehong (8.7%), Baoshan (7.1%), and Lingcang (65%). Among the 19 entry ports, the highest IFAT positive rate was found in 5 entry ports: Lvliang, Laying, Jiegao, Houqiao, and Qingshuihe, all in China-Myanmar border. The IFAT positive rate in the Chinese entry people increased with their days of staying outside the border. Among the entry people, the highest antibody positive rate was from those of Myanmar nationality (11.7%) followed by those from Yunnan (3.7%). CONCLUSION: To certain extent, higher malaria incidence outside the border impacts that of Yunnan Province.
