Investigation of The First Imported Case of Malaria, Taiwan, 2023

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202401_40(1).0002

Hsueh-Mei Chiang^*, Fang-Tzu Chang, Ji-Jia Huang, Yu-Wen Yang, Kun-Bin Wu

2024 Vol.40 NO.1

Correspondence Author： Hsueh-Mei Chiang^*

Abstract：

        On January 20, 2023, a hospital reported a suspected malaria case. The patient had traveled to Ivory Coast from late December 2022 to early January 2023. He developed a fever and headache after arriving in Taiwan on January 9, 2023, and was diagnosed with COVID-19 on January 18, 2023. Due to persistent symptoms, he sought medical assistance on January 20, 2023, and was diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum. 
        Public health officials investigated the outbreak and infection source and disseminated educational information and preventive measures. Since all cases of malaria in Taiwan in the last five years have been imported from overseas, with the lifting of border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to promote malaria prevention. Individuals should get medical counsel at a travel medicine clinic before traveling to endemic areas, follow the instructions of prescribed malaria chemoprophylaxis, and take preventative precautions. After returning home, individuals with suspected symptoms should seek medical assistance immediately and provide their travel history and drug history of malaria preventative medication.
        In addition, health practitioners should improve their TOCC screening and evaluate the possibility of other infectious disorders in addition to COVID-19. Maintaining a high degree of attention and notifying suspected cases is critical to avoid transmission caused by imported cases.