Malaria Dynamics in Iran:Insights fromAutochthonous and Asymptomatic

Abstract

The global efforts to eradicate malaria infection are continuing. Certain countries were declared free status, while others ended up in the control or elimination phase. Primary data were collected from Hormozgan province CDC surveillance and control programs between April 2018 and May 2023. Health professionals entered the data of malaria patients into Microsoft Excel and separated them into two categories: public data (demographic and socioeconomic) and clinical symptoms relevant to our community, such as age, sex, nationality, occupation, residential status, and parasite species. More time was spent organizing them to run an accurate statistical test in SPSS. The study included 289 cases: 87.5% male, and 12.5% female; Most of them were 11–29 years old. Vivax malaria was found in 78.9% of the total study population, Afghans, Pakistanis, and Iranians (as autochthonous cases) with percentages of 56.7%, 30.8%, and 12.5%, respectively. In 2023, the number of cases reached its peak, especially in Jask County. 94.1% received treatment and 45.7% were asymptomatic. Imported malaria can indeed contribute to maintain malaria transmission among native populations and potentially increase autochthonous malaria cases. Their movement needs to be strictly monitored. To identify asymptomatic, a cost-effective approach that would be readily accessible to every spot is requested.