Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Malaria in Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

The spatio-temporal distribution pattern of malaria in Yunnan Province, China was studied using a geographic information system technique. Both descriptive and temporal scan statistics revealed seasonal fluctuation in malaria incidences in Yunnan Province with only one peak during 1995-2000, and two apparent peaks from 2001 to 2005. Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that malaria incidence was not randomly distributed in the province. Further analysis using spatial scan statistics discovered that the high risk areas were mainly clustered at the bordering areas with Myanmar and Laos, and in Yuanjiang River Basin. There were obvious associations between Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodoium falciparum malaria incidences and climatic factors with a clear 1-month lagged effect, especially in cluster areas. All these could provide information on where and when malaria prevention and control measures would be applied. These findings imply that countermeasures should target high risk areas at suitable times, when climatic factors facilitate the transmission of malaria.

Spatial Patterns of Malaria Reported Deaths in Yunnan Province, China

“…35 The incidences of P. vivax cases were 3-5 times higher than those of P. falciparum between 1995 and 2005. 3,4 A further examination of the cluster pattern of malaria deaths caused by different parasites might provide more detailed information to support policy development for malaria intervention in Yunnan province.…”

“…There was an average decrease in malaria incidence of 4.3% for P. falciparum and 5.2% for P. vivax per year during 1991-2006 in this province. 3,4 Plasmodium vivax is the dominant species in Yunnan. 35 The incidences of P. vivax cases were 3-5 times higher than those of P. falciparum between 1995 and 2005.…”

“…1 Malaria burden is a significant public health threat in both highly endemic countries and those with moderate and low transmission. 2 In China, malaria remains a major public health problem, 3,4 especially in the southern part of the mainland. 5 Yunnan Province is located in southern China and suffers from one of the highest malaria morbidity and mortality in China.…”

Climate Variability and Population Health in China: Updated Knowledge, Challenges and Opportunities

“…There has been a recent come back of malaria in China and climate variability might be one of the drivers. Studies, using empirical data, showed a positive association between temperatures and incidence of malaria in different areas of China with a lagged effect ranging from one to two months (Bi et al, 2003, Hui et al, 2009, Xiao et al, 2010. Increase in rainfall could also lead to more malaria cases in southern China but may not be an influencing factor in northern region with temperate climate .…”

Epidemic Distribution and Variation of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Hainan, China during 1995–2008

“…11,12 Focused analysis to determine spatial distribution of malaria in specific regions, such as in the western Kenya highlands, 13 is carried out to target populations that are most affected and contribute significantly to the global problem. Studies in high-risk malaria provinces in China [14][15][16][17] have provided scientific basis for malaria control and prevention in these areas.…”