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Oasis Malaria, Northern Mauritania1

Jemila Deida et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

A malaria survey was conducted in Atar, the northernmost oasis city in Mauritania, during 2015-2016. All febrile patients in whom malaria was suspected were screened for malaria by using rapid diagnostic testing and microscopic examination of blood smears and later confirmed by PCR. Of 453 suspected malaria cases, 108 (23.8%) were positive by rapid diagnostic testing, 154 (34.0%) by microscopic examination, and 162 (35.7%) by PCR. Malaria cases were observed throughout the year and among all age groups. Plasmodium vivax was present in 120/162 (74.1%) cases, P. falciparum in 4/162 (2.4%), and mixed P. falciparum-P. vivax in 38/162 (23.4%). Malaria is endemic in northern Mauritania and could be spreading farther north in the Sahara, possibly because of human-driven environmental changes. Further entomologic and parasitologic studies and monitoring are needed to relate these findings to major Anopheles mosquito vectors and to design and implement strategies for malaria prevention and control.

Keywords: Atar; Mauritania; Plasmodium vivax; Sahara; malaria; oasis; parasites; vector-borne diseases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study site for investigation of malaria in Mauritania (red box). Twelve provinces and Nouakchott (the capital city) are also shown. Inset map shows location of Mauritania in Africa.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Frequency and monthly distribution of malaria cases diagnosed by using PCR and rainfall amounts in Atar, northern Mauritania, 2015–2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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