Retrospective Epidemiological Study of Malaria from ۱۹۹۹ to ۲۰۱۶ in Khash, Iran: A Region on the Verge of Malaria Elimination

Background:Malaria infection is still one of the most important public health concerns globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospective epidemiological study of malaria in Khash City, Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran from ۱۹۹۹ to ۲۰۱۶. Methods:This was a retrospective study, which collected official data of ۲۶-year trend of malaria in Khash, Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran. Results:The data showed that over ۲۶ years, ۵۰۱۵ cases of malaria were identified in Khash; the highest number of cases was reported in ۱۹۹۵ with ۸۴۶ patients and the lowest number was in ۲۰۱۶ with one patient. A total of ۴۱۹ patients were Iranian (۵۲.۲%) and ۳۸۳ patients (۴۷.۸%) were non-Iranian including: Afghans (۳۲۳ patients, ۴۰.۳%) and Pakistanis (۶۰ patients, ۷.۵%).  During ۱۷ years, ۲۷۹۲۰۰ blood slides for malaria were prepared in Khash of which ۵۰۱۴ slides were found to be positive. The highest and lowest ABER were in ۲۰۰۳-۲۰۰۴ (۶۳.۶۹) and ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۱۷ (۰.۳۰), respectively. Plasmodium vivax was identified as the main and dominant causative agent of disease in all infected patients. Conclusions: The results revealed a significant decline in malaria incidence rate in Khash. However, based on Iran’s vast borders with malaria endemic countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and illegal immigrants coming from these nations to country, the risk of malaria outbreaks must be considered seriously and the control and/or screening programs should be conducted constantly until the complete elimination of the infection.

Keywords:

Malaria , Iran , Refugees , Plasmodium vivax , Plasmodium falciparum