A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea
Abstract Background The Highlands of Papua New Guinea are non-endemic for malaria compared to the rest of the country. This study aimed to explore the local transmission of malaria in the Highlands through a cross-sectional school survey coupled with reactive case detection. Methods Between July and...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Malaria Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05197-2 |
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| author | Osama Seidahmed Serah Kurumop Elizabeth Wawaga Melvin Kualawi Valentine Siba Sharon Jamea Yangta Ura Leo Makita William Pomat Manuel W. Hetzel |
| author_facet | Osama Seidahmed Serah Kurumop Elizabeth Wawaga Melvin Kualawi Valentine Siba Sharon Jamea Yangta Ura Leo Makita William Pomat Manuel W. Hetzel |
| author_sort | Osama Seidahmed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Highlands of Papua New Guinea are non-endemic for malaria compared to the rest of the country. This study aimed to explore the local transmission of malaria in the Highlands through a cross-sectional school survey coupled with reactive case detection. Methods Between July and November 2019, 5575 schoolchildren and 1048 household members were screened for malaria using Rapid Diagnostic Tests, subsequently validated by light microscopy. In addition, an analysis of malaria cases (2017 to 2019) was conducted across 33 health facilities within the catchment areas of the surveyed schools and households. Results Thirteen individuals were diagnosed with malaria: eleven with Plasmodium falciparum (five schoolchildren, six household members) and two with Plasmodium vivax (one student, one household member); all were aged ten years or older. Malaria prevalence was 0.09% [95% CI 0.03, 0.3] among schoolchildren and 1.7% [95% CI 0.3, 9.1] among household members. Eleven positive individuals (84%) reported recent travel, mainly to lower-altitude endemic areas. Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets were used by 34.8% [95% CI 28.7, 40.8] of household members. The average annual malaria incidence in the catchment areas was 3.7 cases per 1000 [95% CI 2.6, 5.3] among the general population, while children under 15 years accounted for 19% [95% CI 14, 27] of the positive cases. Conclusions Local malaria transmission appears to be minimal in the surveyed Highlands areas. Strengthening surveillance-response system to control imported cases and stop local foci could support malaria elimination in PNG. However, effective operational triggers for reactive case finding remain to be determined. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c337d5a1cf78400baf7d9fe122927d26 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1475-2875 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Malaria Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-c337d5a1cf78400baf7d9fe122927d262025-01-12T12:08:56ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752025-01-0124111010.1186/s12936-024-05197-2A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New GuineaOsama Seidahmed0Serah Kurumop1Elizabeth Wawaga2Melvin Kualawi3Valentine Siba4Sharon Jamea5Yangta Ura6Leo Makita7William Pomat8Manuel W. Hetzel9Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchDepartment of Health, National Malaria Control ProgramPapua New Guinea Institute of Medical ResearchSwiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAbstract Background The Highlands of Papua New Guinea are non-endemic for malaria compared to the rest of the country. This study aimed to explore the local transmission of malaria in the Highlands through a cross-sectional school survey coupled with reactive case detection. Methods Between July and November 2019, 5575 schoolchildren and 1048 household members were screened for malaria using Rapid Diagnostic Tests, subsequently validated by light microscopy. In addition, an analysis of malaria cases (2017 to 2019) was conducted across 33 health facilities within the catchment areas of the surveyed schools and households. Results Thirteen individuals were diagnosed with malaria: eleven with Plasmodium falciparum (five schoolchildren, six household members) and two with Plasmodium vivax (one student, one household member); all were aged ten years or older. Malaria prevalence was 0.09% [95% CI 0.03, 0.3] among schoolchildren and 1.7% [95% CI 0.3, 9.1] among household members. Eleven positive individuals (84%) reported recent travel, mainly to lower-altitude endemic areas. Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets were used by 34.8% [95% CI 28.7, 40.8] of household members. The average annual malaria incidence in the catchment areas was 3.7 cases per 1000 [95% CI 2.6, 5.3] among the general population, while children under 15 years accounted for 19% [95% CI 14, 27] of the positive cases. Conclusions Local malaria transmission appears to be minimal in the surveyed Highlands areas. Strengthening surveillance-response system to control imported cases and stop local foci could support malaria elimination in PNG. However, effective operational triggers for reactive case finding remain to be determined.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05197-2MalariaPapua New GuineaHighlandsSchool surveyReactive case detection |
| spellingShingle | Osama Seidahmed Serah Kurumop Elizabeth Wawaga Melvin Kualawi Valentine Siba Sharon Jamea Yangta Ura Leo Makita William Pomat Manuel W. Hetzel A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea Malaria Journal Malaria Papua New Guinea Highlands School survey Reactive case detection |
| title | A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea |
| title_full | A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea |
| title_fullStr | A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea |
| title_full_unstemmed | A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea |
| title_short | A combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea |
| title_sort | combined school survey and reactive case detection reveals minimal local transmission of malaria in the highlands region of papua new guinea |
| topic | Malaria Papua New Guinea Highlands School survey Reactive case detection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05197-2 |
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