Increased imported severe <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria involving hyperparasitaemia (&amp;gt;10%) in a UK hospital following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions compared to the pre-pandemic period

Choy, Bennett; Bristowe, Henrietta; Khozoee, Baktash; Lampejo, Temi

doi:10.1093/jtm/taac116

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The decreased travel activity during 2019-2020 led to a steep decline in travelassociated infections, including malaria (21). With lifted restrictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, travel activity has increased, and several European countries have recently reported serious malaria cases (22,23). In Denmark (J. Kurtzhals, personal communication, July 2021), a fatal case of P. falciparum malaria after relaxation of travel restrictions was observed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First documented case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Denmark in a traveller returning from Malaysian Borneo

Aftab

Kemp

Stensvold

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Plasmodium knowlesi has been reported as an emerging infection throughout the Southeast Asian region, especially in the Malaysian state of Sabah, where it accounts for the majority of the malaria cases reported. We present a case of P. knowlesiinfection in a Danish woman returning from a short trip to Malaysian Borneo. The patient spent 14 days in forested areas of Sabah and fell ill after returning to Denmark in November 2022. Microscopy of blood smears revealed 0.8% infected erythrocytes, but due to the atypical morphological presentation, a conclusive species identification was made by molecular methods. The patient was treated successfully with artemisinin-based combination therapy. Plasmodium knowlesi is a potentially fatal infection, and taking the increasing travel activity into consideration after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, P. knowlesishould be a differential diagnosis in patients with travel-associated illness returning from highly endemic Southeast Asian areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First documented case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Denmark in a traveller returning from Malaysian Borneo

Aftab

Kemp

Stensvold

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…As travel increases again, the number of imported malaria cases are rising. Of concern, several recent publications have highlighted an increase in severe malaria cases [ 3 , 4 , 12 ]. A report on malaria among personnel in the French Armed Forces noted an increase in severe cases in 2020 which was not attributed to an increased incidence in the cohort or decreased compliance with chemoprophylaxis [ 12 ].…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A report from a Spanish national collaborative network also noted a significant increase in cases of severe malaria during 2020–2021 [ 3 ]. Another publication on imported P. falciparum found that parasitemia, rates of hyperparasitemia and severe malaria were significantly higher following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions [ 4 ]. Although currently under investigation, some of the possible causes identified included delays between disease onset and diagnosis, due to fear of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in overcrowded hospital services, misdiagnosis of febrile illness as COVID-19 (cases of Plasmodium spp.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…following importation into non-endemic areas should continue to be monitored given the reports of competent Anopheles spp. expansion into new geographical areas, the appearance of autochthonous malaria cases in regions where malaria never occurred or which had interrupted malaria transmission, and the reporting of several cases of malaria following nosocomial transmission [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Updates on Malaria Epidemiology and Prevention Strategies

González-Sanz

Berzosa

Norman

2023

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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Purpose of Review The objective of this review was to provide an update on recent malaria epidemiology, both globally and in non-endemic areas, to identify the current distribution and repercussions of genetically diverse Plasmodium species and summarize recently implemented intervention and prevention tools. Recent Findings Notable changes in malaria epidemiology have occurred in recent years, with an increase in the number of total cases and deaths globally during 2020–2021, in part attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of artemisinin-resistant species in new areas and the expanding distribution of parasites harbouring deletions of the pfhrp2/3 genes have been concerning. New strategies to curb the burden of this infection, such as vaccination, have been implemented in certain endemic areas and their performance is currently being evaluated. Summary Inadequate control of malaria in endemic regions may have an effect on imported malaria and measures to prevent re-establishment of transmission in malaria-free areas are essential. Enhanced surveillance and investigation of Plasmodium spp. genetic variations will contribute to the successful diagnosis and treatment of malaria in future. Novel strategies for an integrated One Health approach to malaria control should also be strengthened.

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“…In Europe, the notified cases decreased significantly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (366 notified cases in 2020) [3]. After the travel restrictions were lifted, an increase of severe malaria cases was reported [4], the reason of which remains unclear to date.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of an airport-associated cluster of falciparum malaria in Frankfurt, Germany, 2022

Kessel,

Rosanas-Urgell,

Dingwerth

et al. 2024

Eurosurveillance

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Airport malaria is uncommon but increasing in Europe and often difficult to diagnose. We describe the clinical, epidemiological and environmental investigations of a cluster of airport malaria cases and measures taken in response. Three Frankfurt International Airport employees without travel histories to malaria-endemic areas were diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Germany in 2022. Two cases were diagnosed within 1 week, and the third one after 10 weeks. Two cases had severe disease, all three recovered fully. The cases worked in separate areas and no specific location for the transmissions could be identified. No additional cases were detected among airport employees. In June and July, direct flights from Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Angola and one parcel originating in Ghana arrived at Frankfurt airport. No vector-competent mosquitoes could be trapped to identify the source of the outbreak. Whole genome sequencing of P. falciparum genomes showed a high genetic relatedness between samples of the three cases and suggested the geographical origin closest to Ghana. A diagnosis of airport malaria should prompt appropriate and comprehensive outbreak investigations to identify the source and to prevent severe forms of falciparum malaria.

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Increased imported severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria involving hyperparasitaemia (>10%) in a UK hospital following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions compared to the pre-pandemic period

Cited by 7 publications

References 8 publications

First documented case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Denmark in a traveller returning from Malaysian Borneo

First documented case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Denmark in a traveller returning from Malaysian Borneo

Updates on Malaria Epidemiology and Prevention Strategies

Investigation of an airport-associated cluster of falciparum malaria in Frankfurt, Germany, 2022

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Increased imported severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria involving hyperparasitaemia (&gt;10%) in a UK hospital following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions compared to the pre-pandemic period

Cited by 7 publications

References 8 publications

First documented case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Denmark in a traveller returning from Malaysian Borneo

First documented case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in Denmark in a traveller returning from Malaysian Borneo

Updates on Malaria Epidemiology and Prevention Strategies

Investigation of an airport-associated cluster of falciparum malaria in Frankfurt, Germany, 2022

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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Increased imported severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria involving hyperparasitaemia (>10%) in a UK hospital following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions compared to the pre-pandemic period