Neglected malaria parasites in hard-to-reach areas of Odisha, India: implications in elimination programme

Abstract

Background Information on the foci of Plasmodium species infections is essential for any country heading towards elimination. Odisha, one of the malaria-endemic states of India is targeting elimination of malaria by 2030. To support decision-making regarding targeted intervention, the distribution of Plasmodium species infections was investigated in hard-to-reach areas where a special malaria elimination drive, namely Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) began in 2017. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2228 households during July to November 2019 in six districts, to evaluate the occurrence of Plasmodium species. The species were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing, in case of Plasmodium ovale. Results Of the 3557 blood specimens tested, malaria infection was detected in 282 (7.8%) specimens by PCR. Of the total positive samples, 14.1% were P. ovale spp. and 10.3% were Plasmodium malariae infections. The majority of P. ovale spp. (75.8%) infections were mixed with either Plasmodium falciparum and/or Plasmodium vivax and found to be distributed in three geophysical regions (Northern-plateau, Central Tableland and Eastern Ghat) of the State, while P. malariae has been found in Northern-plateau and Eastern Ghat regions. Speciation revealed occurrence of both Plasmodium ovale curtisi (classic type) and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri (variant type). Conclusions In the present study a considerable number of P. ovale spp. and P. malariae were detected in a wide geographical areas of Odisha State, which contributes around 40% of the country’s total malaria burden. For successful elimination of malaria within the framework of national programme, P. ovale spp. along with P. malariae needs to be incorporated in surveillance system, especially when P. falciparum and P. vivax spp. are in rapid decline.

Assessment of Epidemiological Indicators for Evaluation of National Malaria Elimination Programme: A Retrospective Study

“…Among category-3 states/UTs, Odisha showed the highest mean number of malaria cases for the years 2017-2021, due to many reasons, including the wide distribution of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae in different geophysical regions of the state ( 22 ).…”

A community based study on haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency among particularly vulnerable tribal groups in hard-to-reach malaria endemic areas of Odisha, India: implications on malaria control

“…Odisha, an eastern Indian state with 4% of the total population contributes almost 40% of the annual malaria burden of the country, mostly reported from hilly forested areas inhabited by the tribal population, the majority of them are due to P. falciparum and P. vivax [5,16]. Although separate studies have reported the prevalence of sickle cell, G6PD deficiency, and malaria in tribaldominated areas of the state [17][18][19][20][21], but PVTGs-specific comprehensive data on these genetic disorders and their association with malaria are lacking, which is a pre-requisite for the institution of a cost-effective screening system as well as an intervention program. Earlier the Expert Committee on Tribal Health (2013) jointly constituted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and NITI Ayog, India (2018) have emphasised on generating information on important health issues such as sickle cell and malaria of these vulnerable population so as to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) [22].…”