News Archives |
Volume 4 No 16; 23 April 2010
Malaria data for 2009 published by HPA
Data from the HPA Malaria Reference Laboratory on malaria incidence in the UK in 2009 has been published on the HPA website [1]. Details of methods of data collection for malaria have been published elsewhere [2].
There were 1495 cases of malaria reported in the UK in 2009, a slight increase on the 1370 cases reported in 2008. Seventy nine per cent of malaria cases were caused by the potentially fatal Plasmodium falciparum form of the disease in 2009 - a high proportion that has been sustained over many years (see figure).
Imported malaria cases (with P. falciparum cases), United Kingdom: 1990–2009
It should be noted that there is under-reporting of malaria cases in the UK. A capture-recapture study estimated that the Malaria Reference Laboratory (MRL) notification system captured 56% of cases (66% for P. falciparum and 62% for London cases) [3].
Malaria is a notifiable disease and analysis of notification data informs the UK malaria prevention strategy [4]; clinical and laboratory staff are therefore reminded of the need to report the cases they diagnose to the MRL. A form for this purpose is available at www.malaria-reference.co.uk.
References
1. HPA. Data from the HPA Malaria Reference Laboratory. Available from the Malaria Epidemiological Data pages on the Agency website.
2. Smith AD, Bradley DJ, Smith V, Blaze M, Behrens RH, Chiodini PL, Whitty CJM. Imported malaria and high risk groups: observational study using UK surveillance data 1987-2006. BMJ. 2008: 337.
3. Cathcart SJ, Lawrence J, Grant A, Quinn D, Whitty CJM, Jones J, et al. Estimating unreported malaria cases in England: a capture-recapture study. Epidemiol Infect. 2009 Nov 18: 1-7.
4. HPA. Chiodini P, Hill D, Lalloo D, Lea G, Walker E, et al. Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the United Kingdom. January 2007. Available from the HPA website: Home > Topics > Infectious Diseases > Infections A-Z > Malaria > Guidelines > Malaria prevention guidelines.