engleski

Malaria in Republic of Croatia: Past, Present and Future

Until 1964, when officially declared eradicated, malaria had been a major public health problem in Croatia. No autochthonous infections have been noticed since 1958. Within ten year period after the eradication three cases were transmitted by transfusion. Until 2004, all other cases, a total of 345, were imported. Within last five years, 37 cases were noted. The most of infections were caused by P. falciparum (n= 27, 72%) than by P. vivax (n=7, 19%), and P. ovale, respectively (n=1, 3%). Mixed infections were noted in one case (3%), and the cause remained undetermined in one person (3%). Seamen make the most of those who acquire primary malaria. There are some 30.000 seamen in Croatia. Some 10.000 are on foreign ships, therefore many data are definitely not available or incomplete. Within last five years, 17 seamen were infected by malaria, but this number is supposed to be much greater. Mosquitoes which are vectors for malaria exist in Croatia even today – Anopheles genus are rare (1-2% of entire mosquito population), but present. Sporadic cases of autochthonous malaria in the neighboring countries, in which malaria was officially eradicated, are a warning that cases of autochthonous malaria might appear in Croatia, too. Due to the increased resistance to known antimalaric drugs, chemoprophylaxis when indicated, campaign against mosquitoes and control of persons who come from malaric regions are determinants of control of malaria in Croatia.

Malaria; epidemiological characteristics; Croatia

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