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Malaria Epidemiology in China: A Historical Review

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Malaria Control and Elimination in China

Part of the book series: Parasitology Research Monographs ((Parasitology Res. Monogr.,volume 18))

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Abstract

Malaria is an ancient disease that used to be widespread in most parts of China, dominated by Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, seriously threatening people’s health. In this chapter, the malaria epidemic in China from ancient times to the present was briefly reviewed. The Chinese nation has made important contributions to the fight against malaria, especially after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. No indigenous malaria cases have been reported since 2017 after nearly 70 years of unremitting efforts, and China officially achieved the elimination of malaria on June 30, 2021. However, China will likely see a resurgence in malaria cases due to the thousands of imported cases and the distribution of the malaria vector Anopheles mosquitoes in the defined areas. Therefore, it is essential to maintain and strengthen the sensitivity of surveillance and response through capacity building and the research and development of new technologies based on the established and improved multisectoral cooperative mechanism under the unified leadership of the government, thereby effectively consolidating the achievements of malaria elimination in China.

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Yin, J. (2023). Malaria Epidemiology in China: A Historical Review. In: Mehlhorn, H., Li, J., Wu, K. (eds) Malaria Control and Elimination in China. Parasitology Research Monographs, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32902-9_1

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