Abstract:

The individual malaria case information forms in 31 Provinces/Municipalities/Autonomous Regions (excluding Taiwai, Hong Kong, Macao) and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps of China in 2024 were collected from “Information System for Infectious Disease Surveillance”. The epidemiological characteristic of malaria cases was analyzed. In 2024, a total of 3 157 malaria cases were reported, which was increased by 26.9% compared to that in 2023 (2 488). Of these cases, 3 155 imported cases and 2 blood transfusion-induced cases were identified. The reported cases included 2 008 falciparum malaria (63.6%, 2 008/3 157), 798 vivax malaria (25.3%, 798/3 157), 274 ovale malaria (8.7%, 274/3 157), 65 malariae malaria (2.1%, 65/3 157) and 12 cases with mixed-infection (0.5%, 12/3 157). The male-to-female ratio was 12.4 ∶1, with the 30-39 age group having the highest number of cases (28.3%, 895/3 157), primarily among overseas laborers (69.2%, 2 183/3 155). Other 30 provinces except the Xizang and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported malaria cases. The top five provinces by case numbers were Yunnan (564), Guangdong (246), Henan (241), Shandong (232) and Sichuan (220), cumulatively reporting 1 503 cases (47.6%, 1 503/3 157). A total of 112 severe malaria cases (3.5%, 112/3 157) and 15 deaths (0.5%, 15/3 157) were reported. There has been no reported local mosquito-borne malaria cases for eight consecutive years, but risks from imported malaria persist. It is critical to enhance the sensitivity of the surveillance system, ensure timely detection and treatment of cases, reduce the progression of falciparum malaria to severe or death, and prevent secondary transmission caused by vivax malaria.

Key words: Malaria, Epidemiological characteristics, China