Studies on malaria in Lusaka

Abstract

Species diagnosis of 692 malaria-positive blood films showed a parasite formula of F 94.65, M 7.51 0 1.59, V 0.58. P. vivax which has been rarely seen in Zambia was reported in four cases. Infection with a single species, P. falciparum being the most common, was reported in 95.81%. Mixed infections were recorded in 4.19% with P. falcifarum and P. malariae being most common. The need for accurate species diagnosis for appropriate chemotherapy and the importance of such data for time-limited control and eradication programmes is stressed. Age-analysis of the data showed that children are a vulnerable group with infants harbouring 13.6% of such infections. Though malaria transmission is perennial, the most intense period is between the late rainy season and early dry season with a substantial decline thereafter when the mean minimum night temperatures are lowest.