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REVIEW

Malaria-Related Deaths among U.S. Travelers, 1963–2001

Robert D. Newman, MD, MPH; Monica E. Parise, MD; Ann M. Barber, BA; and Richard W. Steketee, MD, MPH

5 October 2004 | Volume 141 Issue 7 | Pages 547-555

Nearly 1500 malaria cases occur each year in the United States; approximately 60% are among U.S. travelers. Despite the availability of sophisticated medical care, malaria-related deaths continue to occur. The authors reviewed all 185 fatal cases between 1963 and 2001 that were reported to the National Malaria Surveillance System: 123 (66.5%) occurred among U.S. travelers, and of these, 114 (92.7%) were attributed to Plasmodium falciparum. Failure to take or adhere to recommended chemoprophylaxis, to promptly seek medical care for post-travel illness, and to promptly diagnose and treat suspected malaria all contributed to fatal outcomes. Health care providers need to take a travel history, obtain a blood film for suspected malaria, and use the 24-hour malaria management advice available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Malaria Hotline (770-488-7788) or the CDC Malaria Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/Malaria). Hospitals must maintain intravenous quinidine gluconate on formulary because it is the only drug available to treat severe malaria in the United States.

Author and Article Information

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Acknowledgments: The authors thank Meghna Desai and Jacqueline Roberts for assistance with data management.

Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.

Requests for Single Reprints: Robert D. Newman, MD, MPH, Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F-22, Atlanta, GA 30341; e-mail, ren5{at}cdc.gov.

Current Author Addresses: Dr. Newman, Dr. Parise, Ms. Barber, and Dr. Steketee: Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F-22, Atlanta, GA 30341.

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