Major decrease in malaria transmission on Mayotte Island

Abstract

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum is responsible for most malaria cases on Mayotte Island, in the Comorian Archipelago. Malaria is endemic and a major public health problem in the archipelago with an intense, stable and permanent transmission. This study reports results of 8 years of malaria surveillance from 2007 to 2014 after the strengthening of malaria control activities in Mayotte and the neighbouring islands.MethodsSurveillance was based on physicians’ reports of malaria cases between January 2007 and December 2014. Malaria cases were confirmed by at least a positive rapid diagnostic test and/or demonstration of Plasmodium sp. in a blood smear. The date, and the patients’ age, sex, address, presentation of symptoms, biology, treatment and recent history of travel were collected by verbal questioning during consultation and/or hospitalization. Monthly rainfall data were also compiled during the study period.ResultsFrom 2007 to 2014, 2073 cases were reported on Mayotte Island: 977 imported cases, 807 autochthonous cases and 289 cases of unknown origin. The total malaria annual parasite incidence lowered from 3.0 in 2007 to 0.07 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2014 as the autochthonous malaria incidence decreased from 1.6 to 0.004 per 1,000 inhabitants in the same period and in all age groups. Most of the imported cases came from Comoros (94 %). Severe forms represented approximately 11 % of cases, and only two deaths have been recorded among the imported cases. Approximately 19 % of cases were hospitalized (3 % in an intensive care unit). There is clearly a decrease in malaria transmission in Mayotte since 2007 and the goal of elimination seems more achievable than ever. In 2011, Mayotte entered the elimination phase when P. falciparum API passed under 1 case per 1,000 people at risk.ConclusionsThe combination of vector control measures, active surveillance and case management, including effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy, has been essential to achieve a present status of low and decreasing malaria transmission on the island. Mayotte has entered the elimination phase, but some goals remain to be accomplished before a programme re-orientation toward malaria elimination is contemplated. Moreover, a regional management policy is crucial because this would allow control measures to be targeted and based on a regional surveillance-response system rather than isolated.

Major decline in malaria morbidity and mortality in the Union of Comoros between 2010 and 2014: The effect of a combination of prevention and control measures

“…In all three islands, an at least 98% reduction in malaria incidence and case fatalities was observed from 2010 to 2014. This is in line with the WHO country report [22] and similar to the reduction in malaria incidence reported from a study done on the neighbouring island of Mayotte [16] although at different periods. The outcomes of this study correlate with a similar study conducted in Mpumalanga Province, SA, in which an 87% reduction in malaria incidence was reported [23] and in Tanzania where a 85% decline in malaria cases was recorded.…”

“…[4] Despite these challenges, some African countries, including South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are on course to achieve the targets. [4] In addition, a recent study in the nearby island of Mayotte [16] indicated a decline in malaria incidence and deaths. Similar patterns have…”

Culicoides Latreille in the sun: faunistic inventory of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Mayotte (Comoros Archipelago, Indian Ocean)

“…This has been motivated by the recent epidemiological situation in the area. Even though the malaria morbidity and mortality has declined on some islands [ 10 , 11 ], the region has faced major outbreaks of chikungunya [ 12 – 15 ] and endemic circulation of dengue virus [ 16 , 17 ], West Nile virus [ 18 , 19 ], Rift valley fever virus [ 20 – 26 ], bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) [ 27 – 30 ] among others.…”

K13-Propeller Polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Patients in Mayotte in 2013 and 2014

“…A minority of the cases was imported from Madagascar (4%), Africa (1%), or other countries (3). The reduction in the prevalence of malaria in Mayotte (including autochthonous transmission and imported cases) can be explained by the anti-malaria campaigns-both logistically (involving long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets, rapid detection tests, and artemisinin-based combination therapy use) and politically (involving interisland cooperation, involvement of a national program, and participation of the private sector-conducted in Mayotte and the Comoros archipelago in recent years.…”