ABSTRACT

Malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites is one of the most common infectious diseases and an enormous public health problem. In this study, malaria cases detected and reported by the Malaria Control Dispensary of the Infectious Disease Division of Bursa Health Directory from October 2006 through December 2008 have been reported. The cases were evaluated according to age, gender, occupation and localization of the cases (indigenous or imported cases). A total of 23.416 blood smears were examined during this 26- mounth period and malaria parasite was found in 9 cases (0.038%). Of the 9 positive cases, 8 (88.9%) were male and 1 (11.1%) was female. Of these, 4 (44.5%) were acquired in Azarbajcan; 1 (1.1%) in Pakistan; 1 (1.1%) in Ghana; 1 (1.1%) in Sudan; 1 (1.1%) in an unknown Africa country; and 1 (1.1%) in the southeastern of Turkey. Except for three cases of foreign origin infected with Plasmodium falciparum, all the other cases were caused by Plasmodium vivax. The 0.05% decrease in malaria cases during the last 26-mounth, compared with prior data of malaria prevalence in Bursa, resulted primarily from a decrease in the number of cases acquired in Turkey.