Malaria in Chile: 1913-2001 Malaria en Chile: 1913-2001.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Malaria was restricted to the I Region of Chile, being Anopheles pseudopunctipennis the only vector species. In 1936 the parasitosis affected more than 50% of the population and 62.4% of military recruits, proceeding from Southern regions became infected. From 1937 to 1947, an antimalaria campaign was carried out, stressing actions on the battle against the vector and the treatment of malaria infected individuals. Since April 1945 no autochthonous cases of malaria have been detected. AIM: To update the situation of malaria in Chile. METHODS: 1) Imported malaria: Analysis of occasional publications on the subject (1945-1988) and the annual reports of the Ministry of Health Department of Epidemiology (1990-2001). Annual reports on the Anopheles specimens collected--mostly larvae--in the provinces of Arica and Iquique and examined in the Parasitology Unit of the School of Medicine, University of Chile, during the period 1980-2001. RESULTS: 1) Imported malaria. A total of 24 ca