Intensifying anti-malaria efforts in the Indian Ocean

For the past decade, Mayotte has been actively combating malaria. However, there has been a gradual increase in imported cases on the island over the last three years, with a peak recorded in January 2024.

In the first half of this year, 65 cases were reported, 64 of which were imported, with 1 of unknown status. It is important to note that there have been no indigenous malaria cases on the archipelago since July 2020. The imported cases are almost all of the Plasmodium falciparum species. Specifically, 30 % of these cases required hospitalization, with 4 admitted to intensive care.

The Ministry of Health has issued several recommendations to prevent the risk of malaria. It is advised to protect against mosquito bites, particularly at dusk, by using repellents, impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing protective clothing. Before traveling, the effectiveness of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis should be evaluated. It is also crucial to conduct a malaria diagnosis and perform a confirmatory biological test if symptoms suggestive of malaria appear after traveling to an endemic area.

According to the WHO, compared to Madagascar, the death rate from malaria has increased by 55 % over the past ten years. This trend is particularly concerning, especially compared to the global downward trend. These data highlight the importance of intensifying anti-malaria efforts in the Indian Ocean.